Intelligent barcode systems

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow mailers more visibility into the mail stream and information on the quality of their mailings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/405,139, filed Mar. 16, 2009, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This development relates to a barcode and methods and systems ofprocessing mail pieces using the barcode.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Mailers that use the mail delivery systems typically apply barcodes totheir mail pieces to help the mailing system sort, track, and delivermail pieces. Conventionally, mailing systems offer automation discountsfor mailers that place barcodes on their mail pieces. In addition tooffering automation discounts, mailing systems can provide additionalservices to meet the business needs of mailers. Mailers, and inparticular business mailers, typically want to know where their mail isin the mail stream, how it is being processed by the mailing system,when their mail pieces are delivered, and how complete and accuratetheir addresses are. Mailers also seek access to more data about theirmail pieces as they travel through the mail stream. Mailing servicesseek such data to monitor processing, improve services, reduce costs,and accurately calculate postal charges. Hence, improved acceptance,sorting, tracking, and delivery systems and processing methods usingbarcode technologies are desirable.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

The system, method, and devices of the development each have severalaspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes. Without limiting the scope of this development as expressedby the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now bediscussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularlyafter reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of CertainEmbodiments” one will understand how the features of this developmentprovide advantages that include reduced mailing costs for mailers,reduced processing costs for mailing services, greater visibility intothe mail stream for mailers, and a greater number of mail piecesreaching their intended destination.

One embodiment is a computerized method. The method includes sortingmail, where sorting includes reading an encoded value located on a mailpiece; decoding the encoded value to determine an identification of aclass of the mail piece and an identification of a service type of themail piece; and performing an operation in response to determining thatthe mail piece is an actual undeliverable as addressed mail piece. Theoperation includes determining a final disposition of the mail pieceusing at least one of the identification of the class of the mail pieceand the identification of the service type of the mail piece derivedfrom the encoded value. In another embodiment, sorting includes decodingthe encoded value to determine an identification of a delivery point forthe mail piece, and the operation includes determining a finaldisposition of the mail piece using the identification of the deliverypoint and at least one of the identification of the class of the mailpiece and the identification of the service type of the mail piecederived from the encoded value.

Another embodiment is a machine-readable medium including instructionswhich when executed by a machine causes the machine to performoperations. The operations include sorting mail for a mail piece, wheresorting includes reading an encoded value located on the mail piece;decoding the encoded value to determine an identification of a sender ofthe mail piece, an identification of a recipient of the mail piece, anidentification of a class of the mail piece, an identification of anyendorsements of the mail piece, and an identification of a deliverypoint for the mail piece; and determining whether the mail piece is acandidate undeliverable as addressed mail piece using the identificationof the recipient of the mail piece within the encoded value and theidentification of the delivery point for the mail piece. Sorting alsoincludes performing an operation in response to determining that themail piece is a candidate undeliverable as addressed mail piece. Theoperation includes retrieving a name of the recipient of the mail pieceusing the identification of the recipient of the mail piece within theencoded value; retrieving a return address of the sender of the mail,piece using the identification of the sender of the mail piece withinthe encoded value; confirming that the candidate undeliverable asaddressed mail piece is an actual undeliverable as addressed mail piece,using the name of the recipient of the mail piece; and determining finaldisposition of the mail piece using at least one of the identificationof the class of the mail piece within the encoded value or theidentification of any endorsements of the mail piece from the encodedvalue.

Still another embodiment is an apparatus. The apparatus includes adatabase to store a number of entries, where each of the number ofentries include a name of a recipient of mail and an identificationassociated with the name of the recipient. The apparatus also includes amail sorter to read an encoded value located on a candidateundeliverable as addressed mail piece. The encoded value includes anidentification for the recipient of the candidate undeliverable asaddressed mail piece, an identification of a class of the candidateundeliverable as addressed mail piece, and an identification of anyendorsements of the candidate undeliverable as addressed mail piece. Themail sorter retrieves from the database a name of the recipient of thecandidate undeliverable as addressed mail piece from an entry of thenumber of entries, where the entry includes the identification for therecipient of the candidate undeliverable as addressed mail piece. Themail sorter confirms that the candidate undeliverable as addressed mailpiece is an actual undeliverable as addressed mail piece, using the nameof the recipient of the candidate undeliverable as addressed mail piece.The mail sorter also determines final disposition of the confirmedundeliverable as addressed mail piece using at least one of theidentification of the class within the encoded value and theidentification of any endorsements within the encoded value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an intelligent barcode used in one embodiment of amailing system.

FIG. 2 illustrates prior art barcodes used in one embodiment of amailing system.

FIG. 3 illustrates the prior art barcodes of FIG. 2 in greater detail.

FIG. 3A is a table translating the prior art barcodes of FIG. 2 intodigits.

FIG. 4 is a top level block diagram illustrating one embodiment of amailing system using barcodes such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2.

FIGS. 5A, 5B are system diagrams of services offered by the mailingsystem of FIG. 4 according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a destination confirm intelligent barcode accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an origin confirm intelligent barcode according toone embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofplanning, transmitting, and processing mail using an intelligent barcodesuch as that illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofpreparing a mailing using an intelligent barcode such as thatillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a mailprocessing system using an intelligent barcode such as that illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofprocessing mail using an intelligent barcode such as that illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofsorting and processing undeliverable-as-addressed mail using anintelligent barcode such as that illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofproviding address correction services using an intelligent barcode suchas that illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a continuation of the method illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a computersystem that can be used in mail planning and processing methods andsystems such as those illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is directed to certain specificembodiments of the development. However, the development can be embodiedin a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims.In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein likeparts are designated with like numerals throughout.

Embodiments of the development can provide end-to-end visibility of amail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces, then usingthis visibility to enable a seamless process for mail acceptance.Embodiments of the development can include such features as, but notlimited to, the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces,continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in realtime. Individually or in combination, systems according to embodimentsof the development can optimize mail acceptance and delivery processes.

In one embodiment, a mail processing system enables pieces of mailprocessing equipment located at various mailing service locations tocontinuously scan and track mail pieces from acceptance throughdelivery. In another embodiment, a mailer sends electronic manifestinformation that describes its mailing to the mailing service before themailing is transported to the mailing service and inducted into the mailstream. In yet another embodiment, the mailing service sends back aconfirmation and an estimate of postage to the mailer based on thepre-shipment notification. In still another embodiment, schedulinginformation is exchanged electronically between the mailer and themailing system. In a further embodiment, as mail pieces arrive at amailing service location, the mailer receives induction informationproviding a true “start the clock” data point to measure and assess thedelivery process. In another embodiment, mail pieces are seamlesslyaccepted by the mailing service, and processed using intelligentbarcodes as described herein. In yet another embodiment, processingusing intelligent barcodes allows real-time mail validation to occur. Instill another embodiment, mailers immediately receive feedback on thequality of their mail, on barcode quality, and on the location and finaldisposition of their mail pieces in the mail stream. In a furtherembodiment, a mail processing system provides address qualitymeasurements that are transmitted to mailers, enabling them to updatemailing lists. In yet a further embodiment, integration of the mailprocessing system with financial systems allows payments and adjustmentsto be performed electronically and automatically.

Persons of skill in the art will understand that mailing systems are butone embodiment of the development, and described herein for purposes ofdisclosure. Mailing systems, methods, and processes as described hereincan be broadly interpreted to include, for example, shipping systems;warehouse receipt, storage, and delivery systems; and baggage handlingsystems. Similarly, mail pieces as described herein can be broadlyinterpreted to include, for example, bags in a baggage handling system,packages in a shipping system, shipping containers in a long distancetransport system, and objects in a warehousing system.

An Intelligent Barcode

FIG. 1 illustrates an intelligent barcode 10 that can be used in systemsaccording to an embodiment of the development. An intelligent barcode 10can be affixed on a mail piece and used to sort and track the mailpiece. In one embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is printed directlyon an outer surface of the mail piece. In another embodiment, theintelligent barcode 10 is stamped directly on an outer surface of themail piece. In yet another embodiment, a mailer prints the intelligentbarcode 10 on a label, then affixes the label to an outer surface of themail piece. In still another embodiment, the mailer prints intelligentbarcode 10 on a piece of correspondence, then inserts the correspondenceinside an envelope such that the intelligent barcode 10 is visiblethrough a clear or see-through window in the envelope. In oneembodiment, the window is covered with clear cellophane and theintelligent barcode 10 is visible through the cellophane. Theintelligent barcode 10 can be used with any mail piece having such awindow, not just envelopes. In addition to sorting and tracking systems,intelligent barcode 10 can also be used in other systems and methodsdescribed herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of prior art barcodes 20, 30. The barcodes10, 20 are optical machine-readable representations of data. Likebarcodes of the prior art, the intelligent barcode 10 illustrated inFIG. 1 is height-modulated, in which the data representation consists ofevenly spaced bars of varying height. The prior art barcode 20illustrated in FIG. 2 is a two-state barcode, however, in which data isencoded using two types of bars—short bars 22 and tall bars 24. Unlikethe prior art barcodes, the intelligent barcode 10 in one embodiment ofthe development is a four-state barcode, in which data is encoded usingfour types of bars. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the fourbar types are descender bars 12, tracker bars 14, full bars 16, andascender bars 18.

The intelligent barcode 10 may be designed for use in high-speed,automated mail sortation machines. In some embodiments, informationcontained in multiple prior art barcodes such as the barcode 20 can becombined into a single intelligent barcode 10. For example, referring toFIG. 2, the barcode 20 may be configured to include trackinginformation, while the barcode 30 may be configured to include sortinginformation. A mailer may place both barcodes on a single mail piece 40to allow the mailing service to sort the mail piece when it is firstintroduced into the mailing system, as well as allow the mailing serviceand the mailer to track the mail piece along its route to an ultimatedestination. Sorting information can include, for example, a ZIP™ Code,which can be used to determine a delivery point mailing address.Tracking information can generate, for example, mail piece processingdata used for tracking purposes when the mail piece is processed onautomated mail processing equipment. Because this same tracking andsorting information can be combined into one intelligent barcode 10, onebarcode can be used for both mail sorting and tracking. Using oneintelligent barcode instead of two prior art barcodes can free up moreopen space on the mail piece 40, save printing costs such as but notlimited to ink costs, and simplify production.

In addition to the capability to combine data from multiple barcodes,the intelligent barcode 10 may offer expanded data capacity comparedwith prior art barcodes. This expanded data capacity can include, forexample, expanded tracking capabilities. The current data capacity ofprior art barcodes will first be described.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the prior art barcodes 20, 30 contain humanreadable representations of numerical digits. In one embodiment, thebarcode 20 is a thirteen-digit barcode that can be used in combinationwith the barcode 30, another thirteen-digit barcode, to uniquelyidentify the mail piece 40. The barcodes may begin and end with framebars 26. The barcodes 20 and 30 can include any number of digits,including but not limited to 11 or 13 digits.

As shown in table 45 illustrated in FIG. 3A, one combination of fivetall and short bars represents the digit 0, a different combination offive tall and short bars represent the digit 1, and so on to digit 9.The barcodes 20 and 30 may use different combinations of short bars 22and tall bars 24 to represent the same digits, or, as demonstrated inthe embodiment illustrated in table 45, the digit symbology for thebarcode 20 may be the inverse of the digit symbology for the barcode 30.The barcodes 20, 30 may also include a check-sum digit 28 configured todetect errors in the barcodes.

The types of data that can be represented in the barcodes 20, 30 willnow be described in further detail with reference to the barcode 20illustrated in FIG. 3. Following the framing bars 26, the first twodigits in the barcode 20, “40,” can represent data such as, but notlimited to, the service type and the class/shape of the mail. Servicetypes can include, for example, First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, andPeriodical Mail. The class/shape of the mail can include, for example,letters, flats, and cards. Thus, in one embodiment, the first two digitscan represent a Service Type Identification (ID) for the mail piece. AService Type ID of “40” can represent First-Class Mail letters, while aService Type ID of “43” can represent Standard Mail flats in oneexample.

The next five digits in the barcode 20, “12345,” can identify a mailpreparer, a mail owner, a subscriber to a particular mailing systemservice, or a system for sending mail. In one embodiment, this number isa Subscriber ID assigned by the mailing service to a subscriber toidentify that a particular mail piece was mailed by a particularsubscriber. Further, the subscriber's particular tracking and handlingpreferences can be stored in records kept by the mailing service. Insome embodiments, these preferences or settings can be used to identifythe particular handling a mail piece should receive. Systems to match aparticular mail piece with a particular mailer and the mailer'spreferences will be described in greater detail below.

The next six digits in barcode 20, “235636,” can be made available tothe mailer to use for identification purposes. The number may be used toidentify a particular mail piece, client, or account, for example.Mailers can use these six digits in combination with the barcode 30 toidentify the mail piece uniquely. The last digit, “6,” represents acheck sum or correction character to detect errors in the barcode. Insome embodiments, the check sum digit is the single-digit number (0 to9) that, when added to the sum of the other digits in the barcode 20,results in a whole number that is a multiple of 10.

FIG. 4 is a top level block diagram illustrating one embodiment of amailing system 400 using barcodes such as the intelligent barcode 10 andbarcodes 20, 30. A mailer 410 transmits mail pieces to a mailing service420. In one embodiment, the mailer 410 transmits a mail piece to themailing service 420 in order for the mailing service 420 to deliver themail piece to a mail recipient 470. The mailer 410 is not limited tomail preparers and mail owners, and can include a system for sendingmail. Systems for sending mail can include, for example, presort mailerswho perform automated processing of mail pieces from multiple mailowners or customers. These systems can receive mail in batches fromdifferent customers, combine and sort the batches to obtain postagediscounts, then transmit the combined mailing to the mailing service420. The mailer 410 may also transmit data or other information to themailing service 420, in addition to transmitting a mailing to themailing service 420. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420transmits mail pieces back to the mailer 410. In another embodiment, themailing service 420 transmits data or information back to the mailer410, indicating, for example, receipt of a mailing.

The mailing service 420 can be configured to perform various services onmail transmitted by the mailer 410. Such services are represented byservice modules 430, 440, 450, and 460. Services can include but are notlimited to sorting, tracking, address correction, mail return, mailforwarding, and mail delivery services. The service modules 430, 440,450, and 460 can transmit entire mailings or individual mail pieces to adifferent service module. In one embodiment, a service module cantransmit one or more mail pieces back to the mailer 410. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the service module 450 transmits oneor more mail pieces to the mailer 410. In another embodiment, a servicemodule, such as but not limited to the service module 450, transmitsdata or other information to the mailer 410. Such data or otherinformation can include for example, information on a service that isplanned to be performed, is currently being performed, or has beenperformed on one or more mail pieces. Similarly, the mailer 410 cantransmit data or other information directly to the service module 450,or any other suitable service module included in the mailing service420.

In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 delivers mail pieces or amailing to the mail recipient 470. The mail recipient 470 is not limitedto individuals or businesses, and includes systems for receiving mail.Academic institutions, hospitals, prisons, and other facilities mayencompass such systems for receiving mail, for example. In oneembodiment, the mailing service 420 transmits data or other informationto the mail recipient 470, including but not limited to data orinformation on mail pieces scheduled to be delivered to the mailrecipient 470. In another embodiment, the mail recipient 470 transmitsmail pieces or a mailing to the mailing service 420. The mailingrecipient 470 may also transmit data or other information to the mailingservice 420. In yet another embodiment, the mailing service 420transmits data or information to the mailing recipient 470, indicating,for example, receipt of a mailing from the mailing recipient 470. In yetanother embodiment, a service module, such as but not limited to theservice module 460, transmits data or other information to the mailrecipient 470. Similarly, the mail recipient 470 can transmit data orother information directly to the service module 460, or any othersuitable service module included in the mailing service 420.

FIG. 5A illustrates a system diagram of one embodiment of a destinationconfirm service 500, which uses the mailing system 400 and theconfiguration of digits described above with respect to the barcode 20to confirm a mail piece has reached a particular destination. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, the mailing service 420 provides a“destination confirm” service 500 to the mailer 410. The system startswhen the mailer 410 affixes a barcode 20 to a mail piece in a mailing(not illustrated). The barcode indicates destination confirm service isrequested for the mail piece. The mailer 410 then transmits the mailpiece to the mailing service 420 at block 510. The mail piece isprocessed at the mailing service 420 (not illustrated). At block 520,the mailing service 420 delivers the mail piece to the mail recipient470 indicated on the mail piece. As part of the destination confirmservice 500, the mailing service 420 additionally confirms to the mailer410 at block 530 that the mail piece has been delivered to the mailrecipient 470. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 confirmsdelivery by sending information to the mailer 410. In anotherembodiment, the information is an entry in a computer database systemthe mailer 410 can access to determine the status of its mailings. Inyet another embodiment, the information includes an image from a mailprocessing equipment (MPE) scan. Systems to track a mail piece andnotify a mailer 410 that a mail piece has reached its destination willbe described in greater detail below.

The digits in the barcode 20 are not limited to those described above,and can represent any number of pieces of data for use in differenttracking and notification systems. For example, the barcodes 20, 30 maybe used by the mailing service 420 to inform a mailer 410 that a pieceof reply mail has entered the mail stream and is enroute to be deliveredto the mailer 410. The piece of reply mail can include, for example, apayment, order, or other response from a customer. In one embodiment,the mailing service 420 provides an “origin confirm” service 600 to themailer 410. FIG. 5B illustrates a system diagram of one embodiment of anorigin confirm service 600. The system starts at block 610 when the mailrecipient 470 mails a reply mail piece bearing a preprinted originconfirm barcode 20 and a preprinted barcode 30. In one embodiment, themail recipient 470 previously received a mailing from the mailer 410that included the replay mail piece bearing the preprinted barcodes. Themail recipient 470 may be a customer of the mailer 410, for example.

The mailing service 420 next processes the reply mail piece (notillustrated). In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 identifiesduring processing that the barcode 30 and the origin confirm barcode 20are printed on the piece of reply mail. In another embodiment, themailing service 420 associates the mailer 410 with the reply mail pieceby the barcodes 20, 30 preprinted on the reply mail piece. In yetanother embodiment, the mailer 410 registers a series of separate 9- or11-digit barcodes 30 to which it plans to mail reply mail pieces bearingorigin confirm barcodes 20. The 9- or 11-digit barcode 30 can includeZIP™ Codes, for example. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420allows the mailer 410 to register up to 200 9- or 11-digit ZIP™ Codes towhich the mailer 410 plans to mail Origin Confirm reply mail piecesbearing origin confirm barcodes 20.

The mailing service 420 next notifies the mailer 410 at block 620 that amail piece with a specific origin confirm barcode 20 and barcode 30 hasbeen inducted into the mail system. In some embodiments, the first twodigits of an origin confirm barcode 20 may represent a Service Type ID,the next 11 digits may be for the mailer 410's use to identify thecustomer or other mailer of the reply mail piece, and the last digit maybe a check sum digit. At block 630, the mailing service 420 delivers themail piece to the mailer 410.

Similarly, the barcode 30 can represent any number of pieces of datauseful in sorting mail, such as, but not limited to a ZIP™ Code or anentire delivery point mailing address.

The expanded data and tracking capability of the intelligent barcode 10will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1. Unlikethe prior art barcodes 20, 30, the intelligent barcode 10 does notcontain human readable representations of numerical digits. In oneembodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 represents data in a fixed-lengtharray of 31 digits. An encoding algorithm translates these 31 digitsinto a series of 65 bars, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In anotherembodiment, the inverse of the intelligent barcode symbology illustratedin FIG. 1 is used to create a different symbology. Mailers 410 who usethe intelligent code 10 on their mail pieces can, for example, obtainencoding software that can print intelligent barcodes. Once the mailpieces are inducted into the mail system 400, these intelligent barcodes10 can then be scanned by, for example, automated mail processingequipment. Once scanned, a decoding algorithm translates the 65 barsinto the array of 31 digits. Thus, the intelligent barcode 10 can offera data payload of 31 digits, whereas the barcodes 20, 30 typically offerdata payloads of 11 to 13 digits. Combining the barcodes 20, 30 on amail piece typically offers a maximum of 26 digits of data.

The intelligent barcode's increased number of digits can allow moredigits to be assigned to mailers for their own individual use, such asbut not limited to their own unique coding purposes. In one embodiment,the mailing service 420 offers mailers 410 up to 9 digits in aDestination Confirm intelligent barcode 10 and up to 15 digits in anOrigin Confirm intelligent barcode 10 for their own use to track mailpieces. Thus, the expanded data capacity of the intelligent barcode 10can allow for a greater number of uniquely identifiable mail pieces. Inanother embodiment, the expanded tracking capability of the intelligentbarcode 10 allows mailers greater visibility into the mail stream.

The expanded data capacity of the intelligent barcode 10 can also allowa mailing service to use intelligent barcodes for more applications,beyond mail sorting and tracking services currently available throughthe use of prior art barcodes 20, 30. For example, in one embodiment,the intelligent barcode 10 contains information allowing the mailservice 420 to provide address change services to the mailer 410, inaddition to information for sorting and tracking purposes. Such addresschange services are described in greater detail below. In anotherembodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 contains information allowing themailing service 420 to identify a mail piece asundeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and dispose of the mail piece, forwardthe mail piece to the correct address, or return the mail piece to thesender, such as the mailer 410. In yet another embodiment, theintelligent barcode 10 allows mailers 410 more visibility into the mailstream and information on the quality of their mailings. Thus, theintelligent barcode 10 can be encoded such that multiple services may besupported by a single barcode. In one embodiment, the intelligentbarcode 10 can also relate multiple services to a single mail piece anda single mailer 410.

The types of data that can be represented in the intelligent barcode 10will now be described in further detail. FIG. 6 illustrates adestination confirm intelligent barcode 10 according to embodiments ofthe development. The intelligent barcode 10 can be divided into multiplefields, such as but not limited to fields 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the field 90 contains 11 digits whichrepresent routing or destination data that can be used to sort and routea mail piece. In other embodiments, field 90 contains 0, 5, or 9 digits.For example, the field 90 can accommodate 0, 5, 9, or 11 digits of ZIP™Code information, also known as a delivery point ZIP™ Code, associatedwith a mail recipient 470, or addressee.

A field 80 may contain 9 digits representing a mailing identification(ID), or serial number. In some embodiments, the field 80 is availableto the mailer 410 to use for its own identification purposes and is thusconsidered “open” by the mailing service 420. The digits can uniquelyidentify, for example, a particular mail piece, a particular mailing, ora particular client.

A field 70 may contain a six-digit code which, in some embodiments, isnot considered “open” by the mailing service 420. The field 70 mayinclude, for example, a mailer identification (ID), also known as asubscriber ID. This Mailer ID/Subscriber ID can be assigned to themailer 410 by the mailing service 420 to identify a particular mailer ora particular subscriber to a service offered by the mailing service 420.In some embodiments, mailers 410 who were assigned a five-digitSubscriber ID to use in barcodes 20, as discussed above, can add aleading zero to their Subscriber ID to represent a six-digit SubscriberID for use in the intelligent barcode 10.

In one embodiment, the mailer ID is a six-digit number that uniquelyidentifies the mailer 410. According to one example, if the mailer ID isa six-digit number, the mailing ID is limited to nine digits. Thus,according to one example, there are 1 billion unique nine-digit mailingIDs available for mailers 410 using a six-digit mailer ID. In anotherembodiment, the mailer ID is a nine-digit number that uniquelyidentifies the mailer 410. According to one example, if the mailer ID isa nine-digit number, the mailing ID is limited to six digits. Thus,according to one example, there are 1 million unique six-digit mailingIDs available for mailers 410 using a nine-digit mailer ID.

According to one aspect of the present development, the mailing service420 assigns the mailer 410 a mailer ID based on the volume of mail themailer 410 transmits annually to the mailing service 420. In oneembodiment, a mailer 410 who mails 10 million or more mail piecesannually will be assigned a six-digit mailer ID. The mailer 410 canrequest additional six-digit mailer IDs to satisfy additional mailingneeds. In another embodiment, a mailer who mails less than 10 millionmail pieces annually will be assigned a nine-digit mailer ID. The mailer410 can request additional nine-digit mailer IDs to satisfy additionalmailing needs. In yet another embodiment, six-digit mailing IDs assignedby the mailing service 420 begin with numbers “0” through “8,” andnine-digit mailing IDs assigned by the mailing service begin with thenumber “9.”

A field 60 may contain a 3-digit code identifying the specific servicethe mailer 410 has selected for the mail piece. For example, the field60 may contain a service type identification (ID) that identifies themailer 410 requests destination confirm service for the mail piece, oralternatively, origin confirm service for the mail piece. The ServiceType ID can also identify the mail class of the mail piece, such as butnot limited to First-Class, Standard, and Periodicals mail. The mailclass can indicate, among other things, what class of service ortreatment the mail piece should be given, based on the mailer 410'sindication of a particular mail class. Table 1 illustrates possibleclasses of service for a mail piece according to one embodiment.

TABLE 1 Service Type ID Class/Shape of Mail 040 First-Class Mail letters041 First-Class Mail flats 042 Standard Mail letters 043 Standard Mailflats 044 Periodicals letters 045 Periodicals flats 046 First-Class Mailcards 047 Standard Mail cards

Thus, for example, a Service Type ID of “040” in the field 60 canrepresent the mailer 410's selection of Destination Confirm First Classtreatment for a letter mail piece. Similarly, a Service Type ID of “042”can represent the mailer 410's selection of Destination Confirm StandardMail treatment for a flat mail piece. In one embodiment, all mail piecesrequesting origin confirm service have “050” in the field 60, regardlessof the mail class of the mail piece.

In one embodiment, the mailer 410 identifies a mail class for a mailpiece using a specific Service Type ID, and thereby requests specialservices for the mail piece such as tracking or address correctionservices. Special services can include tracking and address correctionservices for mailers 410 who use the intelligent barcode 10, such as forexample, OneCode Confirm™ and OneCode ACS™. According to one embodiment,OneCode Confirm™ is a tracking service, such as a destination and/ororigin confirm service, offered to the mailer 410 who requests suchtracking and/or confirm services in the Service Type ID of theintelligent barcode 10 applied to its mail pieces. According to anotherembodiment, OneCode ACS™ is an address correction service, such as thatdescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12-14,offered to the mailer 410 who requests such address correction servicesin the Service Type ID of the intelligent barcode 10 applied to its mailpieces.

In another embodiment where the mailer 410 does not identify a mailclass for the mail piece or request special services, the Service TypeID can be used by the mailing service 420 to apply automation ratediscounts. Thus, the mailer 410 who does not request special servicesmay still receive an automation rate discount in accordance with theService Type ID in the intelligent barcode 10 applied to a mail piece.

A field 50 may contain a 2-digit code for internal use by the mailingservice 420. In one embodiment, mailers 410 may populate the field 50with two zeroes. In some embodiments, the field 50 is reserved forindicating an optional endorsement line sort level and exceptionhandling. For example, in one embodiment, optional endorsement line andexception handling information encoded in the intelligent barcode 10provide instructions to the mailing service 420 on disposition of a mailpiece. In another embodiment, the mailing service 420 treats a mailpiece in accordance with optional endorsement line and exceptionhandling instructions for a fee.

In one embodiment, the mailer 410 “seeds” outgoing mailings with adestination confirm intelligent barcode 10 attached to some mail pieces,but not every mail piece. The mailer 410 can use data from the seededmail pieces to make assumptions about the entire mailing. For example,in one embodiment, the mailer 410 seeds every tray of a mailing withfive destination confirm intelligent barcodes 10 attached to five mailpieces. The mailer 410 can receive information from the mailing service420 about the seeded mail pieces to make assumptions about the entiretray. The mailer 410 can choose the seed quantity and coverage to meetits specific needs.

In another embodiment, the mailer 410 seeds outgoing mailings by placingdestination confirm intelligent barcodes 10 on Confirm Smart Seed mailpieces in the mailing. In one embodiment, Confirm Smart Seed is aservice offered by the mailing service 420 that allows the mailer 410 toreceive mail processing equipment scan data for the mailing withoutapplying the intelligent barcode 10 to mail pieces that will bedelivered to customers. Thus, in one embodiment, the mailer 410 obtainsthe benefit of seeding using intelligent barcode technology withoutattaching the intelligent barcode 10 to its mail pieces. Furtherembodiments and details of destination confirm services offered by themailing service 420 according to one embodiment are described in U.S.POSTAL SERVICE, CONFIRM SERVICE FEATURING ONE CODE CONFIRM: PUBLICATION197 (2008), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the combination of Mailing ID digits in the field80 and the Subscriber ID digits in the field 70 make the intelligentbarcode 10 unique to the particular mail piece to which it is affixed.Thus, the combination of Mailing ID and Subscriber ID in the intelligentbarcode 10 may be a unique mail piece identifier. In some aspects, it isdesirable to maintain mail piece uniqueness for a specific period oftime. Maintaining mail piece uniqueness can assist the mailing service420 to sort and track mail pieces, for example. In one embodiment, themailing service 420 instructs the mailer 410 to maintain mail pieceuniqueness for a specific period of time, including but not limited to10, 25, 30, 45, 50, or 60 days. In another embodiment, the specificperiod of time during which mail piece uniqueness must be maintained is45 calendar days.

In another embodiment, the mailer 410 uses the intelligent barcode 10bearing Mailing ID “X” and Subscriber ID “Y” on a first mail piece. Themailing service 420 instructs the mailer 410 not to reuse this sameintelligent barcode 10 bearing Mailing ID “X” and Subscriber ID “Y” on asecond mail piece within 45 calendar days of the date the first mailpiece was inducted into the mailing system 400. In yet anotherembodiment, the mailer 410 may not use the intelligent barcode 10bearing Mailing ID “X” and Subscriber ID “Y” on two pieces of mail inthe same mail category within 45 calendar days, but may use the sameintelligent barcode 10 bearing Mailing ID “X” and Subscriber ID “Y” ontwo mail pieces in different mail categories within 45 calendar days.Thus, in this embodiment, mail piece uniqueness is not maintained acrossmail classes, and two mail pieces can carry the same Mailing ID andSubscriber ID combination within the same 45-day uniqueness period aslong as they are in different mail classes.

Persons of skill in the art will understand that multiple fields in theintelligent barcode 10 can be used to maintain mail piece uniqueness,not just the Mailing ID and Mailer/Subscriber ID. Thus, in oneembodiment, the combination of Service Type ID, Mailer/Subscriber ID,and Mailing ID is used to maintain mail piece uniqueness across mailclasses, but not within the same mail class. For example, in oneembodiment the same Mailing ID and Subscriber ID is used on two mailpieces in different classes of mail, and the mail pieces bear differentService Type IDs in the intelligent barcode 10. In this example, theService Type ID, and particularly the combination of Service Type ID,Mailer/Subscriber ID, and Mailing ID, is used to uniquely identify themail pieces.

Because maintaining mail piece uniqueness can improve the mailingservice's sorting and tracking services and systems, the mailing service420 may incentivize mailers 410 to use unique, intelligent barcodes 10on their mailings. Such incentives may be called “automation discounts.”In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 offers reduced postal ratesto mailers 410 who apply the intelligent barcodes 10 to their mailings.Other incentives, such as but not limited to the provision of advancedtracking information to the mailer 410, the provision of addresscorrection information at no or reduced cost, and forwarding ofundeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail at no or reduced cost, will bedescribed in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, the mailer 410 applies unique, intelligent barcodes10 to individual mail pieces. In another embodiment, the mailer 410 alsoapplies unique, intelligent barcodes to each handling unit used totransport individual mail pieces to the mailing service 420. Handlingunits can include, for example, trays, tubs, sacks, or bundles. Theintelligent barcode 10 that is applied to a handling unit may take thesame or similar form to that described above with respect to theintelligent barcode 10 for mail pieces, or it may take another form. Insome cases, the mailer 410 has a large number of handling units and usescontainers to transport the handling units to the mailing service 420.In yet another embodiment, the mailer 410 also applies unique,intelligent barcodes to mail pieces, handling units, and the containersused to transport handling units to the mailing service 420. Containerscan include, for example, pallets, gaylords, and All Purpose Containers(APCs).

In some aspects described in greater detail below, the mailer 410generates and transmits postage statements to the mailing service 420using an approved electronic method. These postage statements can betransmitted before or at the same time the mail pieces are transmittedto the mailing service 420. In other aspects, the mailer 410 generatesand transmits mailing documentation to the mailing service 420 using anapproved electronic method. This mailing documentation can betransmitted before or at the same time the mail pieces are transmittedto the mailing service 420. In one embodiment, the mailing documentationdescribes how individual mail pieces are linked to handling units, andhow handling units are linked to containers, when containers are used.

In another embodiment, the mailer 410 may use the intelligent barcode 10on its mail pieces, handling units, and containers (if any), but themailing service 420 will not offer incentives to the mailer 410 unlessthe mailer 410 also transmits postage statements and/or mailingdocumentation to the mailing service 420 describing how the mail pieces,handling units, and containers are linked. In yet another embodiment,the mailing service 420 offers a “basic service” for a limited period oftime, during which the mailer 410 can use the intelligent barcodes 10 onits mail pieces without maintaining barcode uniqueness and without theprovision of postage statements and/or mailing documentation to themailing service 420. During this period of time, the mailer 410 cantransition to new systems allowing it to maintain barcode uniqueness andcan become familiar with the preparation of postage statements andmailing documentation. The mailing service 420 may offer this simplifieduse of the intelligent barcodes 10 for a limited period of time toincentivize the mailer 410 to obtain and become familiar with systemsthat will allow it to maintain intelligent barcode uniqueness for aspecific period of time, such as but not limited to 45 days, and toobtain and become familiar with the preparation and transmission ofpostage statements and mailing documentation using the intelligentbarcodes 10.

At the expiration of the limited period of time, the mailing service 420may require all mailers 410 to comply with all or a subset of “fullservice” requirements in order to qualify for incentives such as reducedpostage rates and the provision of additional postal services. Such fullservice requirements can include but are not limited to: (1) applyingthe intelligent barcodes 10 to mail pieces, handling units, andcontainers; (2) maintaining barcode uniqueness for a specific period oftime; (3) transmitting postage statements for each mailing to themailing service using approved electronic methods; and (4) transmittingmailing documentation for each mailing to the mailing service usingapproved electronic methods. In one embodiment, mailers 410 who satisfyfull service requirements receive additional tracking and addresscorrection services for their intelligent barcode-marked mail piecesfree of charge. Start-the-clock tracking services and address correctionservices according to one embodiment are described in greater detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 10-14.

Persons of skill in the art will understand full service requirementsare not limited to those just described, but can include any requirementthat assists the mailing service 420 in the provision of acceptance,sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and deliveryservices. For example, in one embodiment, the mailer 410 must complywith some or all of the full service requirements outlined above, aswell as use a delivery point code in the field 90 of the intelligentbarcode 10 in order to qualify for incentives and benefits of the fullservice system.

In one embodiment, the mailer 410 must comply with all four full servicerequirements in order to qualify for advantageous postage rates and/oradditional postal services. In another embodiment, the mailing service420 does not require the mailer 410 to comply with all full servicerequirements for all mailings in order to qualify for reduced postagerates or other incentives. In one embodiment, for example, the mailer410 need not comply with all full service requirements if its mailingcontains less than 10,000 mail pieces and correct postage is affixed toeach piece. In this example, a unique intelligent barcode 10 is notrequired on every mail piece for the mailing to qualify for full serviceincentives. In another example, a unique intelligent code 10 is requiredon every mail piece for the mailing to qualify for incentives, but themailer 410 need not maintain barcode uniqueness for a specific period oftime, transmit postage statements to the mailing service 420, ortransmit mailing documentation to the mailing service 420.

In another embodiment, the mailer 410 need not comply with all fullservice requirements if its mailing contains less than 10,000 mailpieces, each mail piece is of identical weight, and mail pieces areseparated by price. Persons of skill in the art will understand that thespecific standards by which a mailing that does not meet all fullservice requirements but nonetheless qualifies for full service benefitsare not limited to those just described. Any combination of factors maybe used to allow a mailing to qualify for full service treatment andincentives, such as but not limited to the size of the mailing, thedegree of sorting present in the mailing, the degree to which correctpostage is affixed to mail pieces in the mailing, and the degree towhich mail pieces in the mailing are similar in weight, size, or postagerate.

Persons of skill in the art will also understand that the development isnot limited to the “basic” and “full” service systems described above.Any combination of requirements can be used to develop, for example,basic, mid-level, and full service requirements. In one embodiment,requirements are cumulative as a mailer progresses to the next highestlevel, such that the mailer 410 must meet all basic level requirementsin addition to mid-level requirements to qualify for mid-level service.Further embodiments and details of services offered by the mailingservice 420 according to one embodiment are described in Implementationof New Standards for Intelligent Mail Barcodes, 73 Fed. Reg. 49,333(Aug. 21, 2008), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Persons of skill in the art will understand that the intelligent barcode10 need not be unique to qualify for full service benefits. For example,FIG. 7 illustrates an origin confirm intelligent barcode 10 according toembodiments of the development. As explained in greater detail above,origin confirm service can be used to notify the mailer 410 that a pieceof reply mail has entered the mail stream and is enroute to the mailer410. Origin confirm intelligent barcode 10 can be preprinted, forexample, on a piece of reply mail sent to a customer or the mailrecipient 470. When the mail recipient 470 places the reply mail in themail stream, the mailing service 420 identifies it as a mail piecebearing an origin confirm intelligent barcode 10 and should thereforereceive origin confirm services. Such services include but are notlimited to notifying the mailer 410 that a mail piece bearing originconfirm intelligent barcode 10 has entered the mail stream and isenroute to the mailer 410.

The origin confirm intelligent barcode 10 can be divided into multiplefields, such as but not limited to fields 50, 60, 80, and 90. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, a field 90 contains 11 digits whichrepresent routing or destination data that can be used to sort and routea mail piece. In other embodiments, the field 90 contains 0, 5, or 9digits. For example, the field 90 can accommodate 0, 5, 9, or 11 digitsof ZIP™ Code information, also known as a delivery point ZIP™ Code, forthe mail recipient 470, or addressee.

A field 80 may contain 15 digits representing a customer identification(ID). In some embodiments, the field 80 is available to the mailer 410to use for its own identification purposes and is thus considered “open”by the mailing service 420. The digits can uniquely identify, forexample, a particular reply mail piece or a particular customer whomails the reply mail piece back to the mailer 410.

A field 60 may contain a 3-digit code identifying the specific servicethe mailer 410 has selected for the mail piece. For example, the field60 may contain a service type identification (ID) that identifies thatthe mailer 410 requests destination confirm service for the mail piece,or alternatively, origin confirm service for the mail piece. In oneembodiment, all mail pieces requesting origin confirm service have “050”in the field 60, regardless of the mail class of the mail piece.

A field 50 may contain a 2-digit code for internal use by the mailingservice 420. For example, mailers 410 may populate this field. In someembodiments, the field 50 is reserved for indicating an optionalendorsement line sort level and exception handling. For example, in oneembodiment, optional endorsement line and exception handling informationencoded in the intelligent barcode 10 provide instructions to themailing service 420 on disposition of a mail piece. In anotherembodiment, the mailing service 420 treats a mail piece in accordancewith optional endorsement line and exception handling instructions for afee.

As demonstrated in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the originconfirm intelligent barcode 10 may not contain a field 70, or a 6-digitSubscriber ID in the field 70. In such an embodiment, there may be nounique Subscriber ID to combine with the Customer ID in the field 80.Thus, in some embodiments, the origin confirm intelligent barcode 10 isnot a unique mail piece identifier, because multiple reply mail piecesmay be marked with, for example, the intelligent barcode 10 illustratedin FIG. 7.

In some embodiments, the mailing service 420 instructs mailers 410 usingorigin confirm services to use a 9- or 11-digit routing ZIP™ Code in thefield 90. The mailing service may also instruct origin confirm mailers410 that the 9- or 11-digit routing ZIP™ Code in the field 90 alsoserves as a Subscriber ID for the origin confirm mailing. The originconfirm mailer 410 may register up to, for example, 200 separate 9- or11-digit ZIP™ Codes to which Origin Confirm reply mail pieces will bemailed. The origin confirm mailer 410 can identify, or register for,these ZIP™ Codes by transmitting the codes to the mailing service 420and having the codes stored in an account associated with the mailer410.

In some embodiments, an origin confirm mail piece bearing theintelligent barcode 10 such as that illustrated in FIG. 7 will be mailedto the mailing service 420 by a mail recipient 470 and identified as anorigin confirm mail piece by automated processing equipment located atthe mailing service 420. The Service Type ID in the field 60 may notifythe mailing service 420 that the mail piece is an origin confirm replymail piece. The mailing service 420 may then identify the 9- or 11-digitZIP™ Code as a code for which the mailer 410 has registered, and notifythe mailer 410 that a reply mail piece bearing the intelligent barcode10 is in the mail stream and enroute to the mailer 410.

In addition to using the intelligent mail barcode 10 to request andreceive destination confirm and origin confirm services from the mailingservice 420, the mailer 410 can request to receive address correctionsfor any undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail pieces using theintelligent mail barcode 10. In addition, the mailer 410 can alsoinstruct the mailing service 420 on how it wants any UAA mail pieces tobe handled. For example, the mailer 410 can indicate its desire to haveany UAA mail pieces forwarded, returned-to-sender, or treated as wasteand disposed.

Different mail classes have different “default” treatments of UAA mail.Within the First-Class Mail class, for example, the “default” treatmentfor a mail piece that cannot be delivered is for the mail piece to beeither forwarded or returned to the mailer 410 (“return to sender”). Inthe Periodicals class, the “default” treatment of UAA mail is to forwardmail pieces for the first 60 calendar days following an addressee's movedate and dispose of all other UAA mail pieces as waste. For StandardMail and Bound Printed Matter, the “default” treatment of UAA mail is todispose of the mail piece as waste.

The mailer 410 can instruct the mailing service 420 to handle any UAAmail pieces in a manner different than the default treatment providedfor the class of mail. For example, First-Class Mail mailers 410 cantell the mailing service 420 to dispose of undeliverable-as-addressedmail pieces rather than forwarding or returning the mail pieces.Standard Mail mailers 410 can indicate their desire to have anyundeliverable mail that can be forwarded sent to the addressee's newaddress and all other mail disposed as waste.

In one embodiment, the mailer 410 instructs the mailing service 420 ofits intent to have its UAA mail treated in a manner different than thedefault treatment by providing an ancillary service endorsement thatdescribes how to handle any UAA mail pieces. In some embodiments, themailer 410 prints the ancillary service endorsement on a mail piece andthe mailing service 420 recognizes the ancillary service endorsementwhen it processes UAA mail. Table 2 provides ancillary serviceendorsements used in one embodiment of the development.

TABLE 2 Address Service Requested (ASR) Change Service Requested (CSR)Forwarding Service Requested (FSR) Return Service Requested (RSR)Temp-Return Service Requested (TRSR) Electronic Service Requested (ESR)

In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 only allows certain ancillaryservice endorsements to be used with certain classes of mail. Forexample, in one embodiment, the Temp-Return Service Requested (TRSR)ancillary service endorsement can only be used on First-Class Mail mailpieces. In another embodiment, the Electronic Service Requested (ESR)ancillary service endorsement can only be used on mail pieces requestingspecific address correction services. Such services include, but are notlimited to, the ACS and the OneCode ACS® services provided by the UnitedStates Postal Service.

In another embodiment, the mailer 410 uses an ancillary serviceendorsement on a mail piece to request additional services inconjunction with the handling of its UAA mail than is typically providedby the mailing service 420. In still another embodiment, the presence ofan ancillary service endorsement on the mail piece is the mailer'sacknowledgement that it agrees to pay to receive these extra services,if an additional charge applies. For example, if the mailer 410 uses theAddress Service Requested endorsement on a Standard Mail mail piece, themailing service 420 will provide a service to the Standard Mail mailpiece. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 provides forwardingservices if a change-of-address is on file. In another embodiment whereno change-of-address is on file, the mailing service 420 returns theundeliverable mail piece to the mailer 410 for a fee, which is chargedto the mailer 410. In one aspect of the development, the fee is based onthe weight of the mail piece. Since forwarding is not provided as partof Standard Mail processing offered by the mailing service 420 in thisembodiment, the mailer 410 must pay an additional fee to have mailpieces forwarded and/or returned.

In yet another embodiment, the mailer 410 uses ancillary serviceendorsements in conjunction with an address correction service providedby the mailing service 420. Such services include, but are not limitedto, the ACS and the OneCode ACS® services provided by the United StatesPostal Service. In some embodiments, the mailer 410 subscribes to theaddress correction service and uses prior art barcodes 20, 30 on itsmail pieces to receive address correction notices as part of itssubscription. Such services include, but are not limited to, the ACSservice provided by the United States Postal Service. In otherembodiments, the mailer 410 subscribes to the address correction serviceand uses the intelligent barcode 10 on its mail pieces to receiveaddress correction notices as part of its subscription. Such servicesinclude, but are not limited to, the OneCode ACS® service provided bythe United States Postal Service.

In one embodiment, the mailer 410 changes the default treatment thatwill be applied to its mail piece by choosing a Service Type ID and anancillary service endorsement that together describe how to handle themail piece. In another embodiment, the mailer 410 uses a particularancillary service endorsement and a particular Service Type ID in theintelligent barcode 10 to indicate to the mailing service 420 whichadditional services the mailer 410 requests for the mail piece. TheService Type ID can be indicated, for example, in field 60 of theintelligent barcode 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Furtherembodiments, details, and combinations of ancillary service endorsementsand Service Type IDs, and the resulting treatment applied to the mailpiece by the mailing service 420, are described in Appendix A of thepublication U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, A GUIDE TO INTELLIGENT MAIL FOR LETTERSAND FLATS (2008), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

According to one embodiment, a mailer 410 that has subscribed to theaddress correction service and uses an ancillary service endorsement onits mail piece receives an electronic notification from the mailingservice 420. The electronic notification can indicate, for example, thata mail piece was UAA. In one embodiment, the electronic notificationalso provides the addressee's new address or the reason why the mailpiece could not be delivered. In another embodiment, the only ancillaryservice endorsements that can be used in conjunction with the addresscorrection service are Address Service Requested and Change ServiceRequested.

In some embodiments, the mailer 410 has not subscribed to the addresscorrection service provided by the mailing service 420, but still usesan ancillary service endorsement on its mail pieces. In suchembodiments, the mailing service 420 notifies the mailer that a mailpiece was UAA by sending the mailer 410 a hard copy notice or byreturning the mail piece to the mailer 410. The hard copy notice mayprovide a photocopy of the UAA mail piece with either the addressee'snew address or the reason why the mail piece could not be delivered.

In one embodiment of the present development, the mailing service 420provides tracking and address correction services free of charge to mailpieces that satisfy full service requirements. In another embodiment,the mailing service 420 changes the default service applied to a fullservice mail piece free of charge when the change in service ortreatment is requested in an ancillary service endorsement and/orService Type ID in the intelligent barcode 10. In yet anotherembodiment, the mailing service 420 provides start-the-clock service,described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 11, free ofcharge to full service mail piece regardless of the Service Type IDidentified in the intelligent barcode 10. In still another embodiment,the mailing service 420 offers tracking, start-the-clock, and addresscorrection services to mail pieces that satisfy basic servicerequirements for an additional fee.

A Mail Processing System

Mail processing systems and methods using the intelligent barcode 10will now be described in greater detail. Mail processing systems andmethods as described herein may be performed by the mailer 410, themailing service 420, and/or the mail recipient 470, as described abovewith reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method 800 forprocessing mail using the intelligent barcode 10. The method 800 beginsat block 801 in which the mailer 410 plans and prepares a mailing. Themailer 410 may be the owner of the mailing, or alternatively, it may bea mail preparer whom the owner of the mail has designated to prepare andtransmit the mailing. The mailer 410 is not limited to mail preparersand mail owners, however, and can include a computerized or electronicsystem for sending mail. Systems for sending mail can also include, forexample, presort mailers who perform automated processing of mail piecesfrom multiple mail owners or customers. These systems can receive mailin batches from different customers, combine and sort the batches toobtain postage discounts, then transmit the combined mailing to themailing service 420.

Moving to a block 802, the mailer 410 submits a pre-shipmentnotification to the mailing service 420. The notification informs themailing service 420 that the mailer 410 plans to induct a mailing intothe mail stream, and provides information on the mailing to the mailingservice 420. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 sends aconfirmation to the mailer 410 confirming receipt of the pre-shipmentnotification. In another embodiment, the mailing service 420 analyzesthe pre-shipment notification and sends back an estimate of postage tothe mailer 410. In still another embodiment, scheduling information isexchanged electronically between the mailer 410 and the mailing service420. Next at block 803, the mailing is transported to the mailingservice 420 and inducted into the mail stream.

Moving next to block 804, the mailing service 420 processes the mailing.In one embodiment, mail processing includes sorting the mail pieces,then delivering them to their intended destination, such as the mailrecipients 470. In another embodiment, mail processing includes trackingthe mail pieces as they move to their intended destination. In yetanother embodiment, mail processing includes identifying that a mailpiece is undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA), and notifying the mailer 410that the mail piece is UAA. In still another embodiment, mail processingincludes providing address correction services to the mailer 410 for theUAA mail piece. In yet still another embodiment, mail processingincludes forwarding the piece of address-corrected mail to its intendeddestination, such as the mail recipient 470.

Next at block 805, the mailer 410 accesses and interprets data resultingfrom the mail processing at block 804. In one embodiment, data accessand interpretation includes accessing and interpreting tracking recordsindicating the location of one or more mail pieces in the mail stream.In another embodiment, data access and interpretation includes accessingand interpreting records and/or notices that a mail piece wasundeliverable-as-addressed. In yet another embodiment, the mailer 410accesses and interprets address correction notices and/or records. Instill another embodiment, the mailer 410 incorporates the addresscorrection notices into its address records for future mailings. In yetstill another embodiment, the mailer 410 accesses and interpretsinformation that a piece of address-corrected mail has been forwarded toits intended destination.

As noted above with regard to address correction notices, the mailer 410can access various pieces of data on its mailing, including but notlimited to the quality of its mail preparation, the accuracy of itsaddress records, and the actual time and cost for delivery compared toanticipated time and cost. Thus, in one embodiment, the method 800 doesnot end and progresses from block 805 back to block 801. In thisembodiment, the mailer 410 uses data gleaned from a first mailing atblock 805 to improve the planning and preparation for a subsequentmailing at block 801.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating in greater detail the mailpreparation and planning step at block 801 in FIG. 8. One embodiment ofa method 900 for planning and preparing a mailing using the intelligentbarcode 10 is illustrated. The method 900 begins at block 901 in which amailer 410 generates intelligent barcodes 10 for an anticipated mailing.Any suitable encoder tool may be used to encode the numericrepresentation of a mailer's tracking and delivery point ZIP™ Codeinformation into the graphic representation of the intelligent barcode10. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420 provides an onlineencoder tool that allows the mailers 410 to encode numeric values intothe intelligent barcodes 10, as well as an online decoder tool allowingthe mailers 410 to enter an intelligent barcode sequence and receive thenumeric representation of that barcode.

In another embodiment, the mailing service 20 offers more advancedservices to encode the intelligent mail barcode 10 in a productionenvironment. The mailing service 420 can offer an extended library ofencoder source and binary code that a mailer 410 can download andinstall on a range of platforms. Table 3 lists operating systems andlanguage and application environments the mailing service 420 supportsaccording to one embodiment of the development, where “Y” indicates acombination is supported and “N” indicates a combination is notsupported.

TABLE 3 Language and Applications Supported MS MS Operating System CJava 2 COBOL PL/1 Access Excel MVS, z/OS, and OS/390 Y Y Y Y N N VSE/ESAY N Y Y N N OS/400 Y Y Y N N N AIX Y Y N N N N Linux for pSeries Y Y N NN N Linux for Intel² Y Y N N N N Programmer Version Y Y N N N N forWindows MS Office Version N N N N Y Y for Windows

In one embodiment, the encoding software package for each operatingsystem can be distributed as a standard zip file. In another embodimentfor printing the intelligent barcode 10 in a production environment, avariety of intelligent barcode fonts are available for five majorproduction printing environments: AFP (MVS, AS/400, VM, and VSE); HPPCL; PostScript; Xerox™ Metacode, and TrueType.

Moving to block 902, the mailer 410 affixes the intelligent barcodes 10to the mail pieces. Next at block 903, the mailer 410 attaches theintelligent barcodes 10 to handling units, if any, used to transportindividual mail pieces to the mailing service 420. Handling units caninclude, for example, trays, tubs, sacks, or bundles. Moving next toblock 904, the mailer 410 next attaches the intelligent barcodes 10 tocontainers, if any, used to transport handling units to the mailingservice 420. Containers can include, for example, pallets, gaylords, andAll Purpose Containers (APCs).

At block 905, the mailer 410 generates postage statements using anelectronic method approved by the mailing service 420. This can ensurethe postage statements are compatible with and readable by the mailingservice's electronic systems. In one embodiment, postage statementsprovide information on the postage applied to each mail piece. Inanother embodiment, postage statements provide information such as, butnot limited to, the mail class of one or more mail pieces, the weightper item in the mailing, the number of items in the mailing, the mailshape of one or more mail pieces, how mail pieces are sorted, the baserate, discounts claimed by the mailer 410, and the mail depositlocation. Moving to block 906, the mailer 410 generates electronicmailing documentation for the mailing prepared in the preceding blocksusing an electronic method approved by the mailing service 420. This canensure the mailing documentation is compatible with and readable by themailing service's electronic systems. In one embodiment, the mailingdocumentation describes how individual mail pieces are linked tohandling units, if any, and how handling units are linked to containers,if any.

Referring again to FIG. 8, upon the completion of the mail preparationand planning step at block 801, the mailer 410 can now transmit apre-shipment notification to the mailing service 420 at block 802. Inone embodiment, the pre-shipment notification includes the postagestatements and mailing documentation prepared at blocks 904 and 905 inFIG. 9. In another embodiment, the mailing service 420 sends back aconfirmation and an estimate of postage to the mailer 410 based on thepre-shipment notification. In yet another embodiment, schedulinginformation is exchanged electronically between the mailer 410 and themailing service 420. At block 803, the mailing is transported to themailing service 420 and inducted into the mail stream.

FIG. 10 is a top level block diagram illustrating in greater detail themail processing which occurs at block 804 in FIG. 8. One embodiment of amail processing system 100 for processing mail using the intelligentbarcode 10 is illustrated. The mail processing system 100 includes mailpieces 102, a mail processing module 124, a general processing module104, a sorting module 106, candidate UAA mail pieces 108, a UAAprocessing module 110, an address correction module 112, a mailforwarding module 114, address-corrected mail pieces 116, UAA mailpieces returned to sender 117, UAA mail pieces for disposal 118, non-UAAmail pieces 120, and a machine-readable medium 122. The mail pieces 102that have been inducted into the mail stream at block 803 in FIG. 8 areintroduced into the mail processing module 124 according to oneembodiment. In one embodiment, the mail processing module 124 is a mailsorter. The mail pieces 102 are next evaluated at the general processingmodule 104. Methods performed by the general processing module 104according to one embodiment are described in greater detail below withreference to FIG. 11. The mail pieces next move to the sorting module106. The sorting module 106 may be a letter mail sorter, a flat mailsorter, a mixed mail sorter, a parcel mail sorter, or any other type ofdevice that sorts mail pieces. Non-UAA mail pieces 120 leave the sorter106 and the mail processing module 124 for final disposition through themail stream.

In one embodiment, candidate UAA mail pieces 108 are mail pieces whichare suspected to be UAA mail pieces but are not yet confirmed to be UAAmail pieces. The candidate UAA mail pieces 108 move from the sortingmodule 106 to the UAA processing module 110, or UAA module. In oneembodiment, the candidate UAA mail pieces 108 are evaluated by the UAAprocessing module 110. In another embodiment, the UAA processing module110 confirms the candidate UAA mail piece 108 is a confirmed UAA mailpiece. In yet another embodiment, the UAA processing module 110generates a report that a mail piece is undeliverable-as-addressed andtransmits the report to the mailer 410 via the machine-readable medium122. In some embodiments, these undeliverable-as-addressed reports arecalled “Nixie” reports.

In some aspects of the development, the UAA processing module 110determines a UAA mail piece should be treated as waste and disposed. TheUAA mail pieces for disposal 118 leave the UAA processing module 110 fordisposal. In some aspects of the development, the UAA processing module110 determines a UAA mail piece should be returned to the sender, or themailer 410. The UAA mail pieces returned to sender 117 leave the UAAprocessing module 110 for return to the sender or the mailer 410.

In still other embodiments, the UAA processing module 110 determinesaddress correction services are to be provided to a UAA mail piece. Theaddresses of the UAA mail pieces 108 can be corrected at the addresscorrection module 112 in one embodiment, or, in another embodiment, atthe UAA processing module 110. In some embodiments, address correctionnotices can also be generated at the address correction module 112 andtransmitted to the mailer 410 via the machine-readable medium 122. Inanother embodiment, address correction notices are generated at the UAAprocessing module 110 and transmitted to the mailer 410 via themachine-readable medium 122. Other services that can be performed at theaddress correction module 112 will be described in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, address-corrected mail pieces 116 are moved to themail forwarding module 114. One embodiment includes a mail forwardingmodule 114 that can generate and transmit a report to the mailer 410that a mail piece will be or has been forwarded to a specific address.Such mail forwarding reports can include, but are not limited to,destination confirm services. The address-corrected mail pieces 116leave the mail forwarding module 114 for final disposition through themail stream.

A more detailed description of the systems and methods for sorting anddetermining the final disposition of mail will now be described. Themail processing module 124 includes the sorting module 106 and the UAAprocessing module 110. The sorting module 106 and the UAA processingmodule 110 may be software, hardware, firmware or a combination thereof.While the UAA processing module 110 is shown as being part of the mailprocessing module 124, embodiments are not so limited. In someembodiments, the UAA processing module 110 is separate from the sortingmodule 106. Alternatively or in addition, the functionality of the UAAprocessing module 110 may be incorporated into the sorting module 106.

The sorting module 106 receives mail pieces from the general processingmodule 104 and sorts the mail pieces. In some embodiments, the sortingmodule 106 sorts the mail pieces based on the intelligent barcode 10 orother encoded value, a delivery point bar code, or a combinationthereof. The encoded value may be pre-printed onto the mail pieces bythe mailer 410.

In some embodiments, the encoded value is used to perform some or all ofthe operations of UAA processing. The sorting module 106 can scanencoded values in the intelligent barcodes 10 affixed to mail pieces. Asdiscussed above, encoded values may include different types of mailparameters for a mail piece, such as routing data (e.g., the deliverypoint), the mail class, the service type, the mailer identificationnumber, identification of recipient, and address of the mailer 410. Insome embodiments, the delivery point (decoded from the encoded value)may be used to determine whether a mail piece is a candidate UAA mailpiece 108. In one embodiment, this determination is made at the sortingmodule 106. In some embodiments, the data decoded from the encoded valueis also used to confirm that a candidate UAA mail piece 108 is an actualUAA mail piece, such as, for example, an address-corrected mail piece116, a UAA mail piece returned to sender 117, or a UAA mail piece fordisposal 118. In one embodiment, this confirmation is performed at theUAA processing module 110. In some embodiments, the data decoded fromthe encoded value is also used to determine final disposition of theconfirmed actual UAA mail piece. In one embodiment, this determinationis made at UAA processing module 110.

In some embodiments, the data decoded from the encoded value is alsoused to determine a return address of the mailer 410, or a sender of themail piece (which may be used if the mail is an actual UAA mail piece).These example embodiments may be used in any combination. For example,in some embodiments, the data from the encoded value is used todetermine whether the mail piece is a candidate UAA mail piece 108; usedto confirm that a candidate UAA mail piece 108 is an actual UAA mailpiece (such as, for example, an address-corrected mail piece 116, a UAAmail piece returned to sender 117, or a UAA mail piece for disposal118); used to determine final disposition of the actual UAA mail piece;and used to determine a return address. In other examples, the data fromthe encoded value may be used to perform only one operation or less thanall of the operations of UAA processing (as described above). Forexample, data from the encoded value may only be used to confirm that acandidate UAA mail piece 108 is an actual UAA mail piece. In anotherexample, the data from the encoded value may only be used to determinefinal disposition of the actual UAA mail piece. Accordingly, if theencoded value is used for less than all of the operations for UAAprocessing, other data or other techniques may be used to perform theseother operations.

In some embodiments, the encoded value (and/or the data decoded from theencoded value) may be correlated with the name of the mail recipient470, or the recipient of the mail piece. For example, the encoded value,the data decoded from the encoded value, and the name of the recipientfor a mail piece may be stored in a data structure within a database.This database may be stored in the machine-readable medium 122 that islocal or remote to the mail processing facility. In some embodiments,parts of this data may be populated by the mailers 410, while othersparts of this data may be populated by operations performed by mailprocessing equipment at the mailing service 420. For example, themailers 410 may store the encoded value and the name of the recipientfor a mail piece, while the operations of the mail processing equipmentmay cause storage of the data decoded from the encoded value. This datais then accessible by mail processing equipment during UAA processing atthe UAA processing module 110. For example, the encoded value may beused as a key for looking up the name of the recipient in themachine-readable medium 122. The name of the recipient can then be usedto determine at UAA processing module 110 whether a candidate UAA mailpiece is confirmed to be an actual UAA mail piece.

Such embodiments are in contrast to conventional techniques for UAAprocessing of mail pieces. In particular, using conventional techniques,mail sorters can only detect if a mail piece is UAA. However, some mailsorters cannot determine final UAA disposition (Forward, Return toSender, Treat as Waste and Dispose, etc.) for mail pieces. Inparticular, in order to determine final disposition othercharacteristics such as the mail class and service type need to be takeninto account. Using conventional techniques, these additionalcharacteristics can only be obtained by capturing and analyzing theimage of a UAA mail piece using pattern recognition, Optical CharacterRecognition (OCR) methodologies or video coding techniques. As a result,the UAA mail pieces are re-processed on other OCR capable mailprocessing equipment to capture and analyze the mail class, servicetype, and return address. Subsequently, the final disposition of a UAAmail piece may be determined. This required additional processingresults in a significant cost to mail processing.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the mail pieces 102 are passedto the sorting module 106 during a mail sort operation. The sortingmodule 106 may decode an encoded value located on a mail piece. Thesorting module 106 and the UAA processing module 110 may perform some orall of the operations of UAA processing using the decoded data from theencoded value. For example, the sorting module 106 may identify mailpieces as candidate UAA mail pieces 108 by comparing a delivery point(encoded in the encoded value) to a table, list, or other datacompilation of addresses of recipients of mail whose address has changed(hereinafter referred to as a change of address table). In particular,based on the delivery point, the sorting module 106 may be able toidentify that one or more persons have changed addresses for thisparticular location. Multiple persons/entities may be having maildelivered to this particular location. Accordingly, one person for agiven location may have changed addresses, while other persons for thislocation have not changed addresses. Therefore, until the recipient isidentified, the mail piece is only a candidate UAA mail piece 108.

In some embodiments, the sorting module 106 may update a data entry inthe machine-readable medium 122 for a given encoded value. As describedabove, in some embodiments, the mailers 410 may input data into themachine-readable medium 122 for access by the sorting module 106 or theUAA processing module 110. For example, the mailers 410 may create anentry, table, array or any other type of data structure for a givenencoded value. Within that entry in the machine-readable medium 122, themailers 410 may include the name of the recipient of the mail piece forthe given encoded value. In some embodiments, this input of data by themailers 410 may be performed prior to the mail pieces being sorted bythe mail processing module 124. In some embodiments, the mailers 410 mayperform updates to the machine-readable medium 122 on a periodic basisor as mailers 410 submit new mail pieces for sorting.

In conjunction with decoding the encoded value, the sorting module 106may add the decoded data into the associated data structure for theencoded value. In particular, the sorting module 106 may store some orall of the parts of the decoded data for this encoded value. Moreover,in some embodiments, the decoded data is provided to the mailers 410.For example, the mailers 410 may have subsequent access to themachine-readable medium 122 to access their encoded values.Alternatively or in addition, this decoded data may be transmittedelectronically or provided in a hard copy format to the mailers 410.Accordingly, the sorting module 106 may perform the updates to themachine-readable medium 122 and transmit the decoded data to theassociated mailers 410, as part of the decoding operation. The sortingmodule 106 may perform the updates and/or the data transmission in realtime or non-real time relative to the decoding operation. For example,the sorting module 106 may perform the updates to the machine-readablemedium 122 in real time. Subsequently, the sorting module 106 maytransmit the decoded data to the mailers 410 in non-real time.

If the sorting module 106 identifies the mail piece as a candidate UAAmail piece 108, the sorting module 106 may pass the UAA mail pieces 108to the UAA processing module 110 for further processing. The sortingmodule 106 outputs non-UAA mail pieces 120 for final disposition throughthe mail stream. In one embodiment, the UAA processing module 110determines that a candidate UAA mail piece 108 is actually a non-UAAmail piece 120, and outputs the non-UAA mail piece 120 from the mailprocessing module 124 for final disposition through the mail stream. Fora candidate UAA mail piece 108, the UAA processing module 110 determineswhether the UAA mail piece is confirmed to be an actual UAA mail piece.In some example embodiments, the UAA processing module 110 uses datadecoded from the encoded value to perform this confirmation. Moreover,for those actual UAA mail pieces, the UAA processing module 110determines a final disposition for the UAA mail piece. In some exampleembodiments, the UAA processing module 110 uses data decoded from theencoded value to determine this final disposition.

The machine-readable medium 122 may be volatile and/or non-volatilemedia, such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, andflash memory devices. The machine-readable medium 122 may be local orremote relative to the mail processing module 124. For example, in someembodiments, the machine-readable medium 122 may be representative ofmachine-readable media distributed at different locations under thecontrol of the mailers 410. Accordingly, the mailer 410 may have its ownmachine-readable medium 122 that is accessible remotely by the mailingservice 420. Alternatively or in addition, the machine-readable medium122 may be located at the mail processing facility (which is local tothe mail processing module 124). In some embodiments, themachine-readable medium 122 stores data related to, extracted from, etc.the encoded values. For example, for a given encoded value, an entry inthe machine-readable medium 122 may include the encoded value, the nameof the recipient of the mail piece, customer identification number forthe mailer, and the mail class, service type, and return address for themail piece. In some example embodiments, parts of this data (e.g., theencoded value and the name of the recipient) are populated by the mailer410. For example, the populating of this data may be a requirement forqualification for incentives, such as those associated with full servicemailings. Some mailers 410 may desire to keep the names of therecipients of the mail pieces confidential. In some embodiments, thenames of the recipients may be stored in a separate machine-readablemedium 122 (e.g., a machine-readable medium under the control of themailer 410). Alternatively or in addition, the names of the recipientsmay be encrypted.

In certain embodiments, the operations are performed by instructionsresiding on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in otherembodiments, the methods are performed by hardware or other logic (e.g.,digital logic).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating in greater detail a method 1100performed by the general processing module 104 in FIG. 10. Oneembodiment of a method 1100 for generally processing a mailing usingintelligent barcode 10 is illustrated. The method 1100 begins at block1110 in which the mailing service 420 accepts a mailing inducted intothe mail stream. Moving to a block 1120, the mailing service 420preliminarily determines if the mailing using the intelligent barcodes10 and meets full service requirements, as described in greater detailabove. Persons of skill in the art will understand full servicerequirements are not limited to those described, and any singlerequirement or combination of requirements that assists the mailingservice 420 in the provision of acceptance, sorting, tracking, addresscorrection, forwarding, and delivery services can be used to qualify amailing as “full service.” In one embodiment, if the mailing is notpreliminarily identified as a full service mailing at block 1120,general processing terminates and the mailing moves to the sortingmodule 106 in FIG. 10. If the mailing is preliminarily identified as afull service mailing at block 1120, the mailing is entered into the fullservice system at block 1130.

Moving next to block 1140, the mailing service 420 verifies the mailingmeets all full service requirements. This verification can include, forexample, verifying that postage statements and mailing documentation forthis mailing have been received by the mailing service 420. Thisverification can also include, for example, verifying that mail piecesare linked to handling units as indicated in the mailing documentation,and handling units are linked to containers as indicated in the mailingdocumentation. Persons of skill in the art will understand the mailingservice 420 may evaluate a sample of mail pieces in a mailing to verifycompliance with full service requirements. If the mailing does not meetall full service requirements, the mailing service 420 next verifies ifthe mailing meets basic service requirements at block 1150. Thisverification can include, for example, verifying that the intelligentbarcodes 10 have been affixed to all mail pieces. Verification can alsoinclude, for example, that the intelligent barcodes 10 are properlypositioned on and affixed to the mail piece, are readable, and conformto formatting requirements for the intelligent barcodes 10. Persons ofskill in the art will understand the mailing service may evaluate asample of mail pieces in a mailing to verify compliance with basicservice requirements.

If the mailing does not meet basic service requirements at block 1150,general processing terminates and the mailing moves to the sortingmodule 106 in FIG. 10. If the mailing does meet basic servicerequirements at block 1150, the mailing service 420 may offer all orsubset of services offered to full service mailings to the basic servicemailing. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, themailing service 420 provides at block 1160 a start-the-clock service tomailings that meet basic service requirements, wherein thestart-the-clock service is also provided to full service mailings. Inone embodiment, basic service mailings receive some, but not all, of theincentives and/or additional services provided to mailings that meet allfull service requirements. In another embodiment, the mailing service420 does not offer any additional services to basic service mailings,and merely tracks and analyzes the number of incoming mail pieces thatmeet basic service requirements.

If the mailing service 420 verifies the mailing meets all full servicerequirements at block 1140, the process moves to block 1160, whereinfull service mail pieces receive the benefit of a start-the-clockservice. In one embodiment of the start-the-clock service, the mailingservice 420 transmits start-the-clock data to the mailer 410, includingbut not limited to the mail preparer and/or mail owner identified in theBy/For line in the mailing documentation associated with the mailing. Inone embodiment, the start-the-clock data includes information that amailing or specific pieces of mail in a mailing have been inducted intothe mail stream. In another embodiment, the start-the-clock dataincludes information that a mailing or specific pieces of mail in amailing have been verified and accepted into the full service system.

Moving to block 1170, the mailer 410, including but not limited to themail preparer and/or mail owner, accesses the start-the-clock data viathe machine-readable medium 122. In one embodiment, a mail preparerplans, prepares, and transmits a mailing to the mailing service 420 fora mail owner. The mail owner can access the start-the-clock data on itsmailings to evaluate the performance of the mail preparer, including butnot limited to the timeliness and quality of the mailing and the qualityof the intelligent barcodes 10 used in the mailing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method 1200performed by the sorting module 106 and/or the UAA processing module 110in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, the method 1200 is performed by atleast one of the sorting module 106 and the UAA processing module 110.The method 1200 begins at block 1202 in which the sorting module 106receives a mail piece for sorting. The mail pieces may comprise both UAAand non-UAA mail pieces. In some example embodiments, the mailer 410prints, marks, attaches, etc. an encoded value onto an outside part ofthe mail pieces. Moving to a block 1204, the sorting module 106 readsthe encoded value located on the mail piece. The encoded value may be abar code, an alphanumeric value, etc. For example, in some embodiments,the encoded value is the intelligent barcode 10. Therefore, in someexamples, the sorting module 106 uses some type of bar code scanoperation to read the encoded value.

Next at block 1206, the sorting module 106 decodes the encoded value todetermine some or all of the following data: (1) the delivery point forthe mail piece; (2) an identification and return address of the mailer410; (3) the class of the mail piece and (4) any endorsements (servicetypes) for the mail piece. Other types of data (e.g., mailing sequencenumber) may also be decoded from the encoded value.

In some embodiments, the sorting module 106 may update the data entry inthe machine-readable medium 122 for this given encoded value. Inconjunction with decoding the encoded value, the sorting module 106 mayadd the decoded data into the associated data structure for the encodedvalue. In particular, the sorting module 106 may store some or all ofthe parts of the decoded data for this encoded value. Moreover, in someembodiments described in greater detail above, the decoded data isprovided to the mailers 410.

Moving next to block 1208, the sorting module 106 determines whether themail piece is a candidate UAA mail piece 108 using the identification ofthe delivery point decoded from the encoded value. The sorting module106 may compare the delivery point bar code to a table, list, etc. ofaddresses of recipients of mail whose address has changed. Such data maybe stored in the machine-readable medium 122 or some other form ofmachine-readable media. If the delivery point bar code for a mail pieceis within this list of addresses, the sorting module 106 identifies themail piece as a candidate UAA mail piece 108. As described below,further confirmation and final disposition of a candidate UAA mail piece108 is performed in subsequent operations. While described such that thesorting module 106 obtains the delivery point from the encoded value,embodiments are not so limited. In some example embodiments, thedelivery point may be obtained from a delivery point bar code that isalso located on the mail piece. Barcode 30 of FIG. 2 is one example of adelivery point bar code according to one embodiment. If the mail pieceis not a candidate UAA mail piece 108, the method 1200 continues atblock 1216, described in more detail below.

If the mail piece is a candidate UAA mail piece 108, the method 1200continues at block 1210. At block 1210, the UAA processing module 110retrieves the name of the recipient of the mail piece using theidentification of the recipient of the mail piece in the encoded value.The UAA processing module 110 may retrieve the name of the recipient ofthe mail piece from the machine-readable medium 122. In particular, asdescribed above, in some embodiments, the mailer 410 stores the name ofthe recipient into the machine-readable medium 122. Accordingly, the UAAprocessing module 110 may retrieve the recipient name from themachine-readable medium 122. In some embodiments, the UAA processingmodule 110 may perform the lookup based on the identification of therecipient (that was part of the decoded data from the encoded value),the encoded value, etc.

Moving next to block 1211, the UAA processing module 110 retrieves thereturn address of the mailer 410 of the mail piece using theidentification of the mailer 410 of the mail piece in the encoded value.The UAA processing module 110 may retrieve the return address of themailer 410 from the machine-readable medium 122. In particular, in someembodiments, the mailer 410 of the mail piece stored its return addressinto the machine-readable medium 122. Accordingly, the UAA processingmodule 110 may retrieve the return address from the machine-readablemedium 122. In some embodiments, the UAA processing module 110 mayperform the lookup based on the identification of the mailer 410 (thatwas part of the decoded data from the encoded value), the encoded value,etc. In some embodiments, the return address may be used if the mailpiece is returned to the mailer 410 as part of the final disposition ofthe actual UAA mail piece. Embodiments are not limited to obtaining thereturn address of the mailer 410 as described in the operation at block1211. Alternatively or in addition, in some example embodiments, thereturn address of the mailer 410 may be obtained by other techniques,such as OCR.

Next at block 1212, the UAA processing module 110 determines whether thecandidate UAA mail piece 108 is confirmed to be an actual UAA mail pieceusing the name of the recipient. In some embodiments, the UAA processingmodule 110 determines if the recipient's name for this mail piece is inan entry in the change of address table for this delivery point. Asdescribed above, multiple recipients of mail pieces may be associatedwith a given delivery point. If the recipient's name on the mail pieceis in the change of address table, the mail piece is considered to be aUAA mail piece. Otherwise, the mail piece is processed as a non-UAA mailpiece. If the mail piece is not confirmed to be a UAA mail piece, themethod continues at block 1216, which is described in more detail below.

If the mail piece is confirmed to be a UAA mail piece, the methodcontinues at block 1214. The UAA processing module 110 determines finaldisposition of the actual UAA mail piece using the identification of theclass and any endorsements of the mail piece that are indicated on themail piece, including but not limited to any endorsements in the encodedvalue. Because the UAA mail piece is confirmed as an actual UAA mailpiece, final disposition may occur. As illustrated in FIG. 10, UAA mailpieces for disposal 118, UAA mail pieces returned to sender 117, andaddress-corrected mail pieces 116 are confirmed as actual UAA mailpieces. In some example embodiments, final disposition may includereturning the mail piece to the mailer 410, forwarding to a new address,or treating as waste. Final disposition may depend on the class of mail,the length of time since the address has changed, mailer appliedendorsements, etc. For example, if the mail piece is first class mailand the length of time is less than N number of months, the mail pieceis labeled for forwarding to the new address. In another example, if themail piece is standard A class mail and the length of time is greaterthan X number of days and there are no services requested(endorsements), the mail piece is treated as waste. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the final disposition of UAA mail pieces for disposal 118 istreatment as waste and disposal. The final disposition of UAA mailpieces 117 is to be returned to the mailer 410. The final disposition ofaddress-corrected mail pieces 116 is forwarding to the mail recipient470 at a new, corrected address.

Moving next to block 1215, the UAA processing module 110 sorts the mailpiece based on the final disposition. The UAA processing module 110 cansort the mail piece in accordance with the type of final disposition.For example, the UAA mail piece may sort into three different groupsdepending on the type of final disposition: return the mail piece to themailer 410; forward to a new address; or treat the mail piece as waste.Once sorted, the UAA mail pieces may then be processed differentlydepending on their grouping. For example, if the mail piece is returnedto the mailer 410, the mail piece could be mailed to the return addressfor the mailer 410. In some example embodiments, the return address maybe retrieved based on the mailer identification that is decoded from theencoded value. In another embodiment, the UAA processing module 110transmits actual UAA mail pieces sorted for forwarding to a new addressto the address correction module 112 for address correction services.The process then moves to block 1217 and ends.

From block 1208 if the mail piece is not a candidate UAA mail piece 108or from block 1212 if the mail piece is not confirmed to be a UAA mailpiece, the process moves to block 1216, wherein the sorting module 106sorts the mail piece as a non-UAA mail piece 120. The sorting module 106may perform this sort using the delivery point, which may or may not bederived from the encoded value. The process then moves to block 1217 andends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method 1300performed by the address correction module 112 in FIG. 10. The method1300 can be used to generate, transmit, update, and receive addresscorrection notices in real time or non-real time. As used herein,address correction notices are not limited to reports indicating anaddress correction. Address correction notices, as used herein, caninclude but are not limited to reports that a piece of mail isundeliverable-as-addressed (“Nixie” report); reports indicating thefinal disposition of a UAA mail piece (i.e., forward with addresscorrection, return to sender, treat as waste and dispose); reportsindicating a change of address has been applied to a UAA mail piece andproviding the new address; and reports indicating an address-correctedmail piece has been forwarded to the new address. The method 1300 can beused to provide any single report, or a combination of reports, to amailer 410. Persons of skill in the art will understand the method 1300is not limited to the address correction reports detailed above, but canbe used to furnish any other suitable type of data or information to amailer 410 that will assist a mailing service 420 in the provision ofacceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, anddelivery services.

The method 1300 begins at block 1305 in which a mailing service 420transmits address correction notices for a first full service mailing toa mailer 410 at no additional charge. As described herein, the mailer410 can include but is not limited to a mail preparer, a mail owner, ora system for sending mail. Thus, in one embodiment, the mailer 410 willnot be charged an additional fee for address correction notices over thefull service postage rate already applied to the mail pieces in thefirst full service mailing. In one embodiment, the provision of addresscorrection notices at no additional charge is an incentive offered bythe mailing service 420 to mailers 410 to encourage their use of theintelligent barcode 10 and compliance with full service requirements. Asdescribed in greater detail above, the sorting module 106, the UAAprocessing module 110, the address correction module 112, and/or themail forwarding module 114 may transmit data or reports to themachine-readable medium 122, transmit hardcopy reports to the mailer410, or both.

Moving to a block 1310, the mailer 410 may receive and analyze addresscorrection information on the first mailing from the mailing service420. In some embodiments, for example, block 1310 in FIG. 13 correspondswith block 805 in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, the mailer 410 may accessthe data and/or reports at the machine-readable medium 122 in real time,receive hardcopy data and/or reports in non-real time, or both. If themailer 410 updates its address records with the transmitted addresscorrection information from the mailing service 420, the method 1300moves back to block 1305. At block 1305, the mailing service 420transmits address correction notices for a second or subsequent fullservice mailing to the mailer 410 at no additional charge. In someembodiments, the mailing service 420 can determine that the mailer 410has updated its address records at block 1310 by tracking whether themailing service 420 has generated and transmitted a repeat addresscorrection report to the same mailer 410 for the same address. In otherembodiments, the mailing service 420 can determine that the mailer 410has updated its address records at block 1310 by analyzing all or aportion of the address records associated with the mailer 410 in themachine-readable medium 122.

If the mailing service 420 determines the mailer 410 has not updated itsaddress records for the first mailing at block 1310, the methodcontinues to block 1315. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420determines at block 1315 if the second or subsequent full servicemailing from the mailer 410 is First-Class mail. In one embodiment, themail service 420 determines the service type of the mailing based on theencoded value for Service Type in the intelligent barcode 10 affixed toa mail piece, a handling unit, or container of the mailing. If thesecond or subsequent mailing is First-Class, the method moves back toblock 1305. At block 1305, the mailing service 420 transmits addresscorrection notices for the second or subsequent full service mailing tothe mailer 410 at no additional charge. In one embodiment, the mailingservice 420 will transmit address correction notices at no additionalcharge for subsequent full service First-Class mailings, with no limiton the number or length of time address correction notices will beprovided. In some embodiments, the unlimited provision of addresscorrection notices for First-Class full service mailings, despite themailer's failure to update its address correction records, is a benefitof using a service type that requires payment of a higher postage ratethan other service types, such as the First-Class service type.

If it is determined in block 1315 that the second or subsequent mailingis not First-Class, the method moves next to block 1320. In oneembodiment, the mailing service 420 determines at block 1320 if thesecond or subsequent full service mailing is Standard Mail or BoundPrinted Matter (BPM). In one embodiment, the mail service 420 determinesthe service type of the mailing based on the encoded value for ServiceType in the intelligent barcode 10 affixed to a mail piece, a handlingunit, or container of the mailing. If the second or subsequent mailingis Standard Mail or BPM, the method moves to block 1325.

At block 1325, the mailing service 420 continues to transmit addresscorrection notices to the same mailer 410 for the same address at noadditional charge for a period of time. In one embodiment, the provisionof address correction notices at no additional charge continues for 30days. Method 1300 then continues to block 1330, described in greaterdetail below.

If it is determined in block 1320 that the second or subsequent mailingis not Standard Mail or BPM, the method continues to block 1335. In oneembodiment, the mailing service 420 determines at block 1335 if thesecond or subsequent full service mailing is Periodicals or Full ServiceMailers. In one embodiment, the mail service 420 determines the servicetype of the mailing based on the encoded value for Service Type in theintelligent barcode 10 affixed to a mail piece, a handling unit, orcontainer of the mailing. If the second or subsequent mailing is notPeriodicals or Full Service mailers, the method moves to block 1340,described in greater detail below. If the second or subsequent mailingis Periodicals or Full Service Mailers, the method moves to block 1345.At block 1345, the mailing service 420 continues to transmit addresscorrection notices to the same mailer 410 for the same address at noadditional charge for a period of time. In one embodiment, the provisionof address correction notices at no additional charge continues for 60days.

Next at block 1350, the mailing service 420 determines if the mailer 410has updated its address records based on the transmission of addresscorrection records by the mailing service 420. In one embodiment, themailing service 420 determines if the mailer 410 has updated its addressrecords within 60 calendar days of transmission of the first addresscorrection report for a given address. If the mailer 410 has updated itsaddress records using address correction reports provided by the mailingservice 420, the method continues to block 1305.

Next at block 1305, the mailing service 420 transmits address correctionnotices for a third or subsequent full service mailing to the mailer 410at no additional charge. In some embodiments, the mailing service 420can determine that the mailer 410 has updated its address records atblock 1350 by tracking whether the mailing service 420 has generated andtransmitted a repeat address correction report to the same mailer 410for the same address more than 60 calendar days after the transmissionof the first address correction report for that address. In otherembodiments, the mailing service 420 can determine that the mailer 410has updated its address records at block 1350 by analyzing all or aportion of the address records associated with the mailer 410 in themachine-readable medium 122 on the 61st day after the transmission ofthe first address correction report to the mailer 410 for a particularaddress.

If it is determined in block 1350 that the mailer 410 has not updatedits address records using address correction reports provided by themailing service 420, the process moves to block 1340 wherein the mailingservice 420 transmits address correction reports for the same address insubsequent full service mailings at an additional charge to the mailer410. Method 1300 then continues to block 1355, discussed in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 14.

Referring again to block 1330, the mailing service 420 determines if themailer 410 has updated its address records based on the transmission ofaddress correction records by the mailing service 420. In oneembodiment, the mailing service 420 determines if the mailer 410 hasupdated its address records within 30 calendar days of transmission ofthe first address correction report for a given address. If the mailer410 has updated its address records using address correction reportsprovided by the mailing service 420, the method continues to block 1305.

Next at block 1305, the mailing service 420 transmits address correctionnotices for a third or subsequent full service mailing to the mailer 410at no additional charge. In some embodiments, the mailing service 420can determine that the mailer 410 has updated its address records atblock 1330 by tracking whether the mailing service 420 has generated andtransmitted a repeat address correction report to the same mailer 410for the same address more than 30 calendar days after the transmissionof the first address correction report for that address. In otherembodiments, the mailing service can determine that the mailer 410 hasupdated its address records at block 1330 by analyzing all or a portionof the address records associated with the mailer 410 in themachine-readable medium 122 on the 31st day after the transmission ofthe first address correction report to the mailer 410 for a particularaddress.

If it is determined in block 1330 that the mailer 410 has not updatedits address records using address correction reports provided by themailing service 420, the process moves to block 1340 wherein the mailingservice 420 transmits address correction reports for the same address insubsequent full service mailings at an additional charge to the mailer410. Method 1300 then continues to block 1355, discussed in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 14.

Referring again to block 1335, if the mailing service 420 determines thesecond or subsequent full service mailing is not Periodicals or FullService Mailers, the process moves to block 1340 wherein the mailingservice 420 transmits address correction reports for the same address insubsequent full service mailings at an additional charge to the mailer410. Method 1300 then continues to block 1355, discussed with referenceto FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 13 illustrating anembodiment of a method 1300 performed by the address correction module112 in FIG. 10. The method 1300 continues at block 1355 in which themailing service 420 determines applicable additional charges for addresscorrection services, such as those described above with reference toFIG. 13. Moving to a block 1360, the mailing service 420 determines thepayment account of the mailer 410 who prepared the mailing incurringadditional charges. In one embodiment, the mailing service 420determines the payment account by reference to a permit number. Thepermit number can be a unique number assigned, for example, to themailer 410 as a condition of using the mailing service or a prerequisitefor inducting full service mailings into the mail stream. In oneembodiment, the mailing service 420 determines the permit number basedon the Subscriber/Mailer ID identified in the intelligent barcode 10affixed to mail pieces in the mailing, or to handling units orcontainers in the mailing.

Next at block 1365, the mailing service 420 applies the applicableadditional charges determined at block 1355 to the payment accountassociated with the permit number or other unique identifier determinedat block 1360. Moving to block 1370, the permit holder associated withthe permit number, including but not limited to the mailer 410, accessesits payment account and pays the additional charges for addresscorrection services on its mailing. The permit holder may be the mailpreparer, the mail owner, or a system for sending mail as described ingreater detail above.

Next at block 1375, the mailing service 420 tracks the number of addresscorrection notices and additional charges associated with a particularpayment account and/or permit holder. Moving next to block 1380, themailing service 420 generates and transmits a report tracking the numberof address correction notices charged to the payment account and/orpermit holder associated with the account. The report can be, forexample, a metrics report providing data or information on theadditional charges incurred. Such data or information can include, butis not limited to, information identifying the mailing that incurredadditional charges, the number of mail pieces in the mailing thatincurred additional charges, the reason additional charges were applied,the number of repeat address correction reports that have beentransmitted for a particular address on a mail piece in the mailing,actual time between transmission of an address correction report andcorrection of the mailer's address records, and average time betweentransmission of an address correction report and correction of themailer's address records. In one embodiment, the report includes data orinformation that reflects or affects payments and/or fees to be paid bythe mailer 410.

Next at block 1385, the permit holder, such as but not limited to themailer 410, accesses the metrics or other report associated with itspayment account and receives information on the quality of its mailings.Persons of skill in the art will understand that the operationsdescribed with reference to blocks 1375, 1380, and 1385 can occur inreal-time with the use of the machine-readable medium 122. Thus, themailing service 420 can offer sorting, tracking, address correction, andmail forwarding services to the mailer 410, while also allowing themailer 410 real-time visibility into the services being provided andreal-time feedback on the quality of its mailings. Those of skill in theart will understand the method 1300 is not limited to the provision ofaddress correction services and address correction notices, but caninclude any service or notice that will assist a mailing service 420 inthe provision of acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction,forwarding, and delivery services.

Persons of skill in the art will also understand that the systems andmethods described herein are not limited to those using the intelligentbarcode 10. The systems and methods can use any encoded value ornumerical representation that offers a sufficient data payload tosupport one or more mailing services.

A detailed block diagram of an example computer environment, accordingto some embodiments, is now described. In particular, FIG. 15illustrates a computer that may be used for processing of UAA mailpieces, according to some example embodiments. In some exampleembodiments, the computer system 1500 may be representative of parts ofthe mail processing module 124, the sorting module 106, or the UAAprocessing module 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the computer system 1500 comprises aprocessor(s) 1502. The computer system 1500 also includes a memory unit1530, a processor bus 1522, and an Input/Output controller hub (ICH)1524. The processor(s) 1502, the memory unit 1530, and the ICH 1524 arecoupled to the processor bus 1522. The processor(s) 1502 may compriseany suitable processor architecture. The computer system 1500 maycomprise one, two, three, or more processors, any of which may execute aset of instructions in accordance with embodiments of the development.

The memory unit 1530 may store data and/or instructions, and maycomprise any suitable memory, such as a dynamic random access memory(DRAM). The computer system 1500 also includes an IDE drive(s) 1508and/or other suitable storage devices. A graphics controller 1504controls the display of information on a display device 1506, accordingto some embodiments of the development.

The input/output controller hub (ICH) 1524 provides an interface to I/Odevices or peripheral components for the computer system 1500. The ICH1524 may comprise any suitable interface controller to provide for anysuitable communication link to the processor(s) 1502, the memory unit1530, and/or to any suitable device or component in communication withthe ICH 1524. In one embodiment of the development, the ICH 1524provides suitable arbitration and buffering for each interface.

For some embodiments of the development, the ICH 1524 provides aninterface to one or more suitable integrated drive electronics (DE)drives 1508, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or compact disc read onlymemory (CD ROM) drive, or to suitable universal serial bus (USB) devicesthrough one or more USB ports 1510. For one embodiment, the ICH 1524also provides an interface to a microphone 1511, a keyboard 1512, amouse or buttons 1514, a CD-ROM drive 1518 (not illustrated), and one ormore suitable devices through one or more Firewire ports (notillustrated). For one embodiment of the development, the ICH 1524 alsoprovides a network interface 1520 though which the computer system 1500can communicate with other computers and/or devices.

In some embodiments, the computer system 1500 includes a machinereadable medium that stores a set of instructions (e.g., software)embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies described herein.Furthermore, software may reside, completely or at least partially,within the memory unit 1530 and/or within the processor(s) 1502.

In view of the above, one will appreciate that the development overcomesthe problem of accepting, sorting, tracking, forwarding, delivering, andcorrecting addresses of mail pieces in an efficient, cost-effectivemanner. For example, embodiments provide reduced mailing costs formailers, reduced processing costs for mailing services, greatervisibility into the mail stream for mailers, and a greater number ofmail pieces reaching their intended destination.

Those of skill will recognize that the various illustrative logicalblocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronichardware, software stored on a computer readable medium and executableby a processor, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate thisinterchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrativecomponents, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been describedabove generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processorcan read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor.The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC.

Applications Using the Intelligent Barcode

Embodiments of the intelligent barcode 10 described herein can beintegrated into and improve various applications, systems, and servicesoffered by the mailing service 420 and use of those systems by themailer 410. In one embodiment, for example, the intelligent barcode 10is used to validate systems designed to help mailers 410 identifyinaccurate or incomplete addresses. Such systems include, but are notlimited to, the “DPV® System” provided by the United States PostalService. The DPV System according to one embodiment assists mailers 410in obtaining accurate delivery address information and facilitatesidentification of erroneous addresses contained in mailer address files.Mailer use of DPV, and in particular use of the intelligent barcode 10to validate the DPV System, can help to reduce the number of UAA pieces,which can in turn result in more efficient mail processing and deliveryoperations. In another embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is used tovalidate or confirm the quality of sorting services performed by themailer 410. Thus, in one embodiment the intelligent barcode 10 is usedto determine if the mailer 410 applied the finest depth of sort to mailpieces in a mailing, such as, for example, an 11-digit sort depth. Inanother embodiment, the mailing service 420 provides sorting validationand/or confirmation reports to the mailer 410.

In yet another embodiment where the mailing service 420 processes a mailpiece with an automated processing system, the intelligent barcode 10can be used to determine, for example, the length of time since a changeof address form was sent to the mailing service 420, which can in turnbe used to assess the accuracy of a particular mailer 410's sortingservices and address information. One example of an automated processingsystem that can be improved using the intelligent barcode 10 is a mailredirection system, such as but not limited to the Postal AutomatedRedirection System, or “PARS,” provided by the United States PostalService. According to one embodiment, using the intelligent barcode 10in PARS can improve the mailing service's performance by allowing themailing service 420 to more quickly and accurately intercept and rerouteforwardable mail during processing of that mail. In another embodiment,using the intelligent barcode 10 in PARS significantly reduces the timeit takes forwardable mail pieces to get to a new address.

The intelligent barcode 10 can also be used to identify mail pieces thatremain in the processing systems of the mailing service 420 for extendedperiods of time, also known as “loop” mail. The intelligent barcode 10can also be used to resolve operational problems that may have led toextended processing times. In one embodiment, for example, theintelligent barcode 10 is used to identify mail pieces that have beenprocessed multiple times on mail processing equipment, have been or arebeing processed for an extended time on mail processing equipment,and/or have extended counts on mail processing equipment. For example,the sorting module 108, the UAA processing module 110, the addresscorrection module 112, and/or the mail forwarding module 114 describedwith reference to FIG. 10 can determine that a mail piece with aspecific intelligent barcode 10 has been processed multiple times or hasbeen processed for an extended time on mail processing equipment. Inanother embodiment, identification of “loop” mail using the intelligentbarcode 10 allows the mailing service 420 to investigate and resolveoperational problems in the mail processing system.

In yet another embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is used toidentify forwarding or return instructions on labels. One example oflabels containing forwarding or return instructions are yellow labelsapplied to mail pieces by forwarding operations and systems of theUnited States Postal Service. In still another embodiment, theintelligent barcode 10 is used to program mail processing equipment toidentify the intelligent barcode 10 on a mail piece and use theintelligent barcode 10 for sorting when multiple barcodes are used onthe mail piece. In yet a further embodiment, these additionalidentification capabilities minimize the amount of “loop” mail in themail processing system.

The intelligent barcode 10 according to embodiments described herein canalso be used to determine which operation or plant or processing stationof the mailing service 420 processed a particular mail piece, as well aswhich optical character reader (OCR) or barcode sorter at the processingstation scanned the mail piece. Such information can be used by themailing service 420 for diagnostic purposes and to resolve operationalproblems with mail processing equipment.

In another embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is used by the mailingservice 420 to enable additional or extra services. For example, themailing service 420 can offer previously unavailable certified mailservices, registered mail services, and return receipt services forletters and flats as a result of expanded capabilities and savingsassociated with use of the intelligent barcode 10. In one embodiment,the mailing service 420 offers additional services by expanding the listof available Service Type IDs the mailers 410 can use in the intelligentbarcode 10.

According to some embodiments, the intelligent barcode 10 is used todetermine what entities, businesses, and/or mailing systems are sendingmail to a resident, or the mail recipient 470. For example, theintelligent barcode 10 can be used to identify that one or more mailers410 are sending or have sent mail pieces to a particular resident,determine how many pieces are enroute to the resident, and provide thisdata to the resident in a notice or report to the resident. The noticeand/or report may be in electronic or nonelectronic form. In anotherembodiment, the mailing service 420 uses intelligent barcode 10 scandata from mail processing equipment to determine where a mail pieceentered the mail stream, or a “point of entry,” and historical serviceperformance for mail transmitted from one specific point, such as apoint of entry, to another specific point, such as the mail recipient'saddress. In yet another embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is usedto generate a mail profile that is sent to a mail recipient 470,outlining what mail pieces are expected to be or will be delivered tothe mail recipient's mail box that day, the next day, or in the nextweek, etc. In still another embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 isused to develop an industry profile that informs customers, such as themail recipient 470, about the entities that have sent them mail pieces.

The intelligent barcode 10 can be used for advanced and expandedtracking and data collection services. According to one embodiment, forexample, the intelligent barcode 10 is used to track reply pieces bymail processing plant in order to determine how many reply pieces arebeing returned to the mailer 410 from a specific geographic area. Inanother embodiment, this data is provided to the mailer 410 to allow itto determine and/or estimate response rates by geographic region. In yetanother embodiment, return rate data based on geographic region isparticularly useful to mailers 410 who use business reply mail. In stillanother embodiment, an eleven-digit delivery routing code in theintelligent barcode 10 is used by the mailing service 420 to providevolume and/or geographical data on business reply mail responses to aparticular mailer 410. In yet a further embodiment, the intelligentbarcode 10 is used to determine data, such as but not limited to date,time, location, serial number or mailing ID, for time and/or motionstudies. The intelligent barcode 10 can also enable the mailing service420 to provide data by geographic unit.

The intelligent barcode 10 can also be used to improve financial systemsof the mailing service 420. Thus, for example, the intelligent barcode10 can be used to automate accounting for business reply mail (BRM). Inone embodiment, the mailing service 420 uses the intelligent barcode 10and other scan data from mail processing equipment, including but notlimited to a facing identification mark (FIM), to improve the efficiencyof business reply mail. In another embodiment, the mailing service 420uses the intelligent barcode 10 and FIMs to reduce business reply mailfalse positives. In yet another embodiment, the mailing service 420 usesmail processing scan data, including but not limited to a FIM, theeleven-digit delivery point code in the intelligent barcode 10, and dataon the date and time a mail piece was scanned to calculate accountdeductions for BRM activity. In still another embodiment, the mailingservice 420 develops a variation factor based on identified margins oferror and applies the variation factor to the account deductions and/orBRM activity. In yet a further embodiment, the mailing service 420 usesthe intelligent barcode 10 to enable prepaid First Class Mail or replymail services.

In one embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is used by the mailingservice 420 to change the service applied to a mail piece “on the fly,”or during the time period in which the mail piece is being processed.Thus, for example, the mailing service 420 can offer a service to themailer 410 that allows the mailer 410 to upgrade the class of mail of amail piece from Standard to Priority, after the mailer 410 hastransmitted the mail piece to the mailing service 420 and before themail recipient 470 receives the mail piece. In one embodiment, themailer 410 instructs the mailing service 420 to give a mail piecepriority handling after the mail piece has already been transmitted tothe mailing service 420. Embodiments of address correction and mailforwarding services described in greater detail above can be used tooffer such an in-transmit change-of-service system to the mailer 410.

Embodiments of the intelligent barcode 10 described herein can be usedto allow a mailer 410 to customize premium forwarding services providedby the mailing service 420. For example, the mailer 410 can use theintelligent barcode 10 to transmit forwarding instructions to themailing service 420 based on a class or type of mail. In one embodiment,the mailer 410 uses the intelligent barcode 10 to transmit specificforwarding instructions to the mailing service 420 for different typesor classes of the mailer's mail, such as but not limited to the mailer'sbills, the mailer's First Class Mail, specific periodicals the mailersubscribes to, specific catalogs the mailer 410 expects to receive, andimportant documents the mailer 410 expects to receive. In anotherembodiment, the mailer 410 and/or the mail recipient 470 uses theintelligent barcode 10 to link forwarding instructions to a specificdate the mailer 410 and/or the mail recipient 470 expects to return toan address.

In another embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is used to identifythe share of work performed by mail processing equipment for a specifictype of mail, such as but not limited to flats. In yet anotherembodiment, work share information enables the mailing service 420 toinject mail pieces at a different level of sortation, or to instructmailers 410 to sort to a specific pass level, such as the first passlevel.

The intelligent barcode 10 according to aspects described herein canserve as a coupon from a mailer 410, or as means for a customer to placean order. In one embodiment, the mailer 410 uses the intelligent barcode10 as a unique identifier for a specific mail piece, enabling mailers410 and, for example, participating vendors, to scan the intelligentbarcode 10 on a mail piece as part of a coupon or advertisement offer.The mailer 410 can scan the intelligent barcode 10, then apply thecoupon, discount, or advertisement offer, or the mailing service 420 canscan the intelligent barcode 10 and provide the scan data to the mailer410, thereby allowing the mailer 410 to apply the coupon or other offer.In another embodiment, the mailer 410 identifies that an intelligentbarcode 10 has been scanned, applies a coupon or other offer to acustomer, then “invalidates” the specific scanned intelligent barcode 10such that the customer cannot obtain a second coupon, discount, or offerusing the same intelligent barcode 10. In yet another embodiment, theintelligent barcode 10 can serve as a second barcode on the mail pieceto include literal data, or to enable direct look up or use.

In one embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is used to captureinformation and send data to a customer or mailer 410 in lieu of sendinga mail piece to the customer or mailer 410. For example, in oneembodiment, a mail recipient 470 transmits a business reply mail pieceto the mailing service 420 and/or the mailer 410. The mailing service420 scans the intelligent barcode 10, and, in one example, the originconfirm information identified in the intelligent barcode 10. Themailing service 420 then transmits the scanned data to the mailer 410,in lieu of transmitting the business reply mail piece to the mailer 410.In another embodiment, information scanned from the intelligent barcode10 is used by the mailing service 420 to determine that the mailer 410wishes scan data to be transmitted in lieu of the mail piece.Identifying the mailer's service request in the intelligent barcode 10can initiate mail processing equipment at the mailing service 420 toperform an image capture and correlating OCR character read. The mailingservice 420 can then provide this information to the mailer 410 in lieuof the physical mail piece, saving labor on data entry and in otherrespects.

Yet another application of the intelligent barcode 10 as describedherein is detection of environmental hot spots. For example, chemicallysensitive inks or paper can be used as a sensor and the mailing service420 can be a reporting unit. In addition, the intelligent barcode 10 canbe used to track deliveries of emergency drugs, such as but not limitedto Cipro or iodine “Lick this” dots on letters.

The intelligent barcode 10 can also be used by the mailing service 420to provide the mailer 410 with an acceptance scan by a mail carrier.Thus, for example, in one embodiment the mailer 410 places a mail piecewith an intelligent barcode 10 in its mail box for transmittal to themailing service 420 and a mail recipient 470. The mail carrier acceptsthe mail piece from the mail box and scans the intelligent barcode 10 onthe mail piece. The mailing service 420 then transmits this scan data tothe mailer 410, indicating to the mailer 410 that the mail piece hasbeen accepted by the mail carrier. Additional scan data can also beprovided to the mailer 410 as the mail piece is scanned at a mailprocessing facility and inducted into the mail stream, as described ingreater detail above.

In addition, the intelligent barcode 10 can be used to sort mail in amailer's mail box, or place “special mail” at the top of a plurality ofmail pieces placed in the mailer's mail box by a mail carrier. In oneembodiment, the mailing service 420 offers a Service Type ID for use inthe intelligent barcode 10 to allow the mailer 410 to request specialmail box sorting services. In another embodiment, the mailing service420 modifies a delivery point sequence (DPS) sort plan of an automatedmail processing system to recognize the mail box-sort Service Type IDand sort mail pieces in a priority sequence. In yet another embodiment,the mailing service 420 trains mail carriers on handling and placementof mail box-sorted mail pieces in mail boxes.

Embodiments of the intelligent barcode 10 described herein can be usedfor advanced delivery services. In one embodiment, a mail carrier scansa parcel with an intelligent barcode 10. The scan initiates a link to aGPS location and/or provides routing directions to complete thedelivery. In another embodiment, the intelligent barcode 10 is used inconjunction with a scan device equipped with GPS capability to enablemail carriers to scan an 11-digit delivery point code in the intelligentbarcode 10 on a mail piece or parcel. The scan device provides a GPS XYcoordinate, which is used with geographic information system (GIS)mapping software to pinpoint delivery addresses using, for example, adatabase. This is in contrast to conventional algorithms currently usedin mapping technologies such as Google™ Maps and Mapquest® that providecoordinates based on street addresses. In yet another embodiment, theintelligent barcode 10 is used to replace a fixed MSP point, such asrandomize location or a virtual MSP. The intelligent barcode 10 can alsobe used to develop an international monitoring service and product.

Various embodiments, functions, services, and applications using theintelligent barcode 10 are described herein. It will be appreciated thatthose functions, services, and applications can in one embodiment beimplemented by a system comprising one or more computer systems and/ordatabases that receive intelligent barcode data and other mailprocessing data from any suitable mail processing equipment or mailprocessing system. For example, embodiments of the intelligent barcodeservices and applications described herein can be implemented using acomputer system, such as the computer system 1500 and/or the processor1502 illustrated in FIG. 15.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the development as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. As will be recognized, the development may be embodied withina form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forthherein, as some features may be used or practiced separately fromothers. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claimsrather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come withinthe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embracedwithin their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An item sorting system comprising: an itemsorter; a processor; and a memory comprising instructions which whenexecuted by the processor cause the item sorter to perform operationscomprising: sorting an item, wherein sorting comprises: reading anencoded value located on the item; decoding the encoded value todetermine an identification of a sender of the item, an identificationof a recipient of the item, a delivery point for the item, and anidentification of a class of the item; determining whether the item is acandidate undeliverable as addressed item using the identification ofthe recipient of the item determined from the encoded value and theidentification of the delivery point for the item; performing thefollowing operations in response to determining that the item is acandidate undeliverable as addressed item: retrieving a name of therecipient of the item based on the identification of the recipient ofthe item determined from the encoded value; retrieving a return addressof the sender of the item based on the identification of the sender ofthe item determined from the encoded value; confirming that thecandidate undeliverable as addressed item is an actual undeliverable asaddressed item, based on the name of the recipient of the item; andsending an address correction notice to the sender of the item;determining final disposition of the item using the identification ofthe class of the item determined from the encoded value; and disposingof the item in accordance with the determined final disposition;determining whether a previous address correction notice regarding aprevious actual undeliverable as addressed item has been sent to thesender of the item, wherein the previous actual undeliverable asaddressed item was determined to be associated with the same deliverypoint and name of the recipient as the item.
 2. The item sorting systemof claim 1, wherein retrieving the name of the recipient of the itemcomprises performing a lookup in a database of names of recipients ofthe items using the identification of the sender of the item and theidentification of the recipient of the item.
 3. The item sorting systemof claim 2, wherein the database is stored in a machine-readable mediumthat is remote relative to where operations of the item sorter occur. 4.The item sorting system of claim 3, wherein the machine-readable mediumis under the control of the sender of the item.
 5. The item sortingsystem of claim 2, wherein the names of the recipients stored in thedatabase are encrypted, and wherein retrieving the name of the recipientof the item comprises decrypting the name of the recipient of the itemprior to confirming that the candidate undeliverable as address item isan actual undeliverable as addressed item.
 6. The item sorting system ofclaim 1, wherein retrieving the return address of the sender of the itemcomprises performing a lookup into a database of return addresses ofsenders of the item based on the identification of the sender of theitem.
 7. The item sorting system of claim 1, wherein operations forsorting the item are executed by at least one of a letter mail sorter, amixed mail sorter, a flat mail sorter or a parcel mail sorter.
 8. Theitem sorting system of claim 1, wherein operations for sorting the itemare executed in a single pass item sort operation.
 9. The item sortingsystem of claim 1, wherein the item sorter further comprises an addresscorrection module.
 10. The item sorting system of claim 9, wherein, theaddress correction module is configured to, if an item is confirmed asan actual undeliverable as addressed item, query an address database byproviding the name of the recipient of the actual undeliverable asaddressed item to determine if the delivery point for the recipient ofthe actual undeliverable as addressed item has changed.
 11. The itemsorting system of claim 10, wherein the address database is stored in amachine-readable medium that is remote relative to where operations ofthe item sorter occur and is under the control of the sender of theitem.
 12. The item sorting system of claim 11, wherein, if the queryingof the address database determines that the delivery point for therecipient of the actual undeliverable as addressed item has changed, theaddress correction module is configured to receive the changed addressfrom the address database and to provide an updated delivery point tothe actual undeliverable as addressed item.
 13. The item sorting systemof claim 12 further comprising an item forwarding module configured toreceive and sort the item having the updated delivery point.
 14. Theitem sorting system of claim 13, wherein the item forwarding module isconfigured to transmit, to the sender of the item, a notification offorwarding the item to the updated delivery point.
 15. A method ofsorting items comprising: reading, using a scanner, an encoded valuelocated on an item; decoding, using a processor, the encoded value todetermine an identification of a sender of the item, an identificationof a recipient of the item, a delivery point for the item, and anidentification of a class of the item; determining, using a processor,whether the item is a candidate undeliverable as addressed item based onthe identification of the recipient of the item determined from theencoded value and the identification of the delivery point for the itemdetermined from the encoded value; performing, using a processor, thefollowing operations in response to determining that the item is acandidate undeliverable as addressed item: retrieving a name of therecipient of the item based on the identification of the recipient ofthe item determined from the encoded value; retrieving a return addressof the sender of the item based on the identification of the sender ofthe item determined from the encoded value; confirming that thecandidate undeliverable as addressed item is an actual undeliverable asaddressed item, based on the name of the recipient of the item; sendingan address correction notice to the sender of the item; determiningwhether the delivery point of the actual undeliverable as addressed itemhas changed; and if the delivery point of the actual undeliverable asaddressed item has changed: updating the delivery point; and forwardingthe item to the updated delivery point; and determining, using aprocessor, whether a previous address correction notice regarding aprevious actual undeliverable as addressed item has been sent to thesender of the item, wherein the previous actual undeliverable asaddressed item was determined to be associated with the same deliverypoint and name of the recipient as the item.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein determining whether the delivery point of the actualundeliverable as addressed item has changed comprises querying anaddress database maintained by the sender of addresses corresponding torecipients of items.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the addressdatabase is stored in a machine-readable medium that is remote relativeto where sorting of the item occurs.
 18. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising transmitting to the sender of the item, a notification offorwarding the item to the updated delivery point.
 19. A system ofsorting items comprising: means for reading an encoded value located onan item; means for decoding the encoded value to determine anidentification of a sender of the item, an identification of a recipientof the item, a delivery point for the item, and an identification of aclass of the item; and means for determining whether the item is acandidate undeliverable as addressed item based on the identification ofthe recipient of the item determined from the encoded value and theidentification of the delivery point for the item determined from theencoded value; means for retrieving a name of the recipient of the itembased on the identification of the recipient of the item determined fromthe encoded value; means retrieving a return address of the sender ofthe item based on the identification of the sender of the itemdetermined from the encoded value; means for confirming that thecandidate undeliverable as addressed item is an actual undeliverable asaddressed item, based on the name of the recipient of the item; meansfor sending an address correction notice to the sender of the item;means for determining whether the delivery point of the actualundeliverable as addressed item has changed; means for updating thedelivery point if the delivery point has changed; means for forwardingthe item to the updated delivery point; and means for determiningwhether a previous address correction notice regarding a previous actualundeliverable as addressed item has been sent to the sender of the item,wherein the previous actual undeliverable as addressed item wasdetermined to be associated with the same delivery point and name of therecipient as the item.